HOUSING NAVIGATOR

New York City has been awarded 7,778 of Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These vouchers are part of 70,000 vouchers available nationwide, through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Special Services, a program area of the Human Resources Administration (HRA), provides an array of benefits, housing, and social services to vulnerable populations. These benefits and services address the immediate and long-term needs of individuals and families living in New York City. Special Services is comprised of four divisions: Adult Protective Services (APS), Emergency Intervention Services (EIS), HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA), and Home Care Services Program (HCSP).

Special Services is recruiting for (1) one Per-Diem Community Coordinator to function as a Housing Navigator.

The role of the Housing Navigator is to assist households in receipt of an Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) through the processes of locating, leasing, and moving into housing within 120 days of voucher issuance. This is a predominately field based position and will require travel within the five boroughs and possibly to adjacent communities in NYS and NJ if a household is interested in porting.

The Housing Navigator will coordinate with various City agencies and their contracted providers to manage an ongoing caseload of households in receipt of an EHV and will:

Engage with City Agencies and their contracted providers to connect with households in receipt of EHV.

Engage in phone and field-based outreach to assigned EHV households, including engaging with clients in shelter and other settings.

Assist the household with acquiring the necessary documentation and mitigate issues with credit reports, utility arrears, and unfavorable landlord references as necessary.

Assist EHV recipients with the process of securing housing including but not limited to, coordinating and attending apartment interviews; acquiring and submitting apartment applications, supporting documentation, and forms; navigate the various rental subsidy and inspection processes; secure applicable move-in assistance; and coordinate move-ins with landlords and other relevant stakeholders.

Provide participants with listings of potential housing options in alignment with participants’ housing needs and geographic preferences.

Assist with landlord applications.

Assist with HRA Broker Fee, Security Voucher, and moving expenses.

Add unit to HOME, when necessary.

Arrange for timely inspections and landlord corrective action, in coordination with PHA.

Explain and review the lease and sublease agreement with the EHV household.

Educate EHV recipients on their rights and responsibilities as tenants.

Maintain accurate, comprehensive and current documentation and provide reports as needed.

Perform reasonable related business duties as assigned.
Minimum Qual Requirements
 
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in “1” above.
Preferred Skills
 
Experience with the housing process and housing applications in NYC.

Experience working with landlords, brokers, and the rental market in NYC.

Experience in case management or project management.

Proficiency with computers navigating in multiple systems and web-based applications.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Ability to prioritize responsibilities, handle multiple projects simultaneously and delegate responsibilities when appropriate.

Have strong attention to detail.

Have excellent interpersonal skills.

Bilingual candidates preferred and encouraged to apply

Two years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in housing, homelessness, case management, or a related field
Additional Information
 
**LOAN FORGIVENESS
The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with the DSS/HRA/DHS qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements.
Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
In addition, the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services offers competitive salaries and the following benefits:
Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees’ Retirement System).
401(k) and Roth 457 Retirement Savings Programs.
U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program.
Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program.
Training and Professional Development.
Opportunity for Scholarship; College Savings Program.
Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.
To Apply
 
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Hours/Shift
 
Monday-Friday 9 AM-5 PM
Residency Requirement
 
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.