Housing Navigator

The Road Home•Salt Lake City, UT

5d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Navigator for Rental Assistance Programs supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis by helping them access, apply for, and secure safe and affordable permanent housing. This role provides direct housing assistance through eligibility screening, housing search support, landlord engagement, and coordination with case managers and community partners. The Housing Navigator helps participants understand rental assistance requirements, addresses barriers that limit housing access, and advocates for individuals throughout the housing process. This position emphasizes client-centered, trauma-informed service delivery and plays a key role in promoting long-term stability for households enrolled in rental assistance programs.

Requirements

Experience working with diverse and/or vulnerable populations is preferred.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Proficiency in basic computer applications (e.g., email, spreadsheets, data entry, file management) is preferred.
Experience working in housing navigation, landlord engagement, property management, or related social services is preferred.
Ability to use creative problem-solving to address housing challenges and support guests effectively.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated emotional regulation skills, maintaining calm, professionalism, and compassion during high-pressure or crisis situations.
Willingness to be a proactive, self-directed, and collaborative member of a team.
Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with landlords, property managers, and community partners to expand housing opportunities.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations.
Provide thoughtful and attentive customer service by communicating clearly and handling difficult situations with professionalism, patience, and empathy.
Proficiency using email, spreadsheets, databases, shared drives, and basic file management systems; ability to learn new software as needed.
Ability to accept supervision, direction, and feedback with openness.
Communicate clearly and effectively with clients, coworkers, and supervisors using verbal and written communication.
Ability to lift and move heavy items up to 25 pounds.
Ability to sit, stand, and move for at least an hour at a time or more.
Ability to use stairs or steps.
Wear OSHA-required protective gear for safety, as needed.
Must be at least 21 years old, have a valid, unexpired driver’s license, and the ability to drive a vehicle, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multilingual skills are valued and considered an asset to this role.
Access to a personal vehicle is preferred.

Responsibilities

Complete eligibility assessments with individuals and families to determine qualification for rental assistance programs based on grant-specific criteria (e.g., ESG, CoC, TANF).
Assist participants in locating, applying for, and securing safe and affordable housing that aligns with their needs, preferences, and program requirements.
Schedule and conduct timely Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections and follow up with landlords to ensure corrective actions are completed.
Complete unit eligibility tasks, such as rent reasonableness determinations and required documentation, prior to lease approval and rental assistance issuance.
Facilitate communication and negotiation with landlords and participate in lease signings with participants and case managers to ensure clarity around lease terms and rental assistance guidelines.
Accurately calculate rental assistance amounts, submit payment requests, coordinate delivery of payments with landlords, and collaborate with the Accounting Team to ensure timely and compliant processing.
Maintain consistent communication with participants, case managers, and property managers to address housing-related issues, support tenancy, and promote housing stability.
Collaborate with case managers to support participants throughout their housing journey, including coordinating moves and adjusting rental assistance as needed.
Ensure eligibility and recertification of paperwork is completed, documented, and submitted on time to maintain continued program eligibility and prevent payment delays.
Collect, maintain, and report accurate and timely data using approved forms and data management systems (e.g., HMIS), in compliance with agency, state, and federal guidelines.
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, program requirements, funding guidelines, and agency policies.
Participate in regular one-on-one supervision, team meetings, case conferencing, and internal collaboration meetings to support coordinated service delivery.
Participate in designated outreach hours at partner sites to complete housing assessments and provide housing navigation services, ensuring strong collaboration with community partners and timely support for participants.
Expand access to housing by cultivating and maintaining relationships with property owners and management companies through outreach and networking opportunities.
Support the training and onboarding of new team members by providing on-the-job shadowing, instruction, and constructive feedback.
Attend mandatory agency trainings, including Trauma-Informed Care, Housing Focused, De-escalation, Suicide Prevention, CPR, and more.
Participate in emergency drills and environmental safety activities, as required.
Follow all agency protocols for security, safety, and sanitation to maintain a clean and secure environment for guests and staff.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance as an essential function of this position.
Other duties as assigned.
Actively engage with and honor the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all individuals we serve.
Advance the agency’s commitment to honoring diverse ethnic and cultural heritages through daily actions that foster genuine belonging.
Implement Housing First principles, harm reduction strategies, and low-barrier services as foundational to our mission.
Maintain healthy boundaries using trauma-informed approaches in all interactions.
Must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening.