Housing Navigator

Working at COVO means doing something about homelessness in Central Oregon. COVO’s SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) program focuses on Veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or are at high risk for homelessness. COVO's SSVF team provides real-time support, guidance and solutions to Veterans and their families.

Summary/Objective

The Housing Navigator assists homeless Veterans and their households in finding safe, affordable housing. This position includes community outreach and client support, focused on building relationships with landlords and property managers, and supporting clients in obtaining and keeping safe, stable housing. Responsible for increasing access to both private and public rental markets for Veterans moving from homelessness to permanent housing.

Key Aspects of the Role:

· Work closely with all members of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) team, as well as independent outreach and education efforts throughout the tri-county area (Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson counties).

· Works closely with the SSVF team in developing outreach strategies for engaging landlords

· Provide outreach and education to landlords, property managers and the general public regarding SSVF and other community resources while strengthening collaborations with partner organizations.

· Responsible for building relationships with landlords and create incentives for landlords to prioritize rental to Veterans experiencing homelessness who have barriers to accessing permanent housing.

· Maintain complete client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed.

· Maintain landlord relationships and assist to keep database on properties and landlord contacts current.

· Develop outreach materials and agreements with landlords that will provide rental units to help homeless clients access and maintain permanent housing.

· Act as a liaison and mediator for housing issues that may arise.

· Perform unit move-in and move-out inspections as needed.

· Meet with clients to assist with applications, housing search, or other support services.

· Maintain statistics and provide narrative reports monthly as required by the Program Manager.

· Collaborate with Case Managers with coordination of residential support services to ensure clients maintain permanent housing.

· Conduct tenant and landlord education trainings.

Tri- country travel is required for this position (Deschutes, Jefferson & Crook)

Experience and Qualifications of a Successful Housing Navigator:

· High School Diploma.

· Verifiable experience working with indigent and/or at-risk populations (can be a combination of internships, OJT and/or volunteer work).

· Ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds and disciplines.

· Experience working with landlords and placing homeless households with barriers into permanent housing.

· Knowledge of Landlord/Tenant Laws and Fair Housing Regulations.

· Commitment to creating highly collaborative work environments with both internal and external partners.

· Understanding of the use, storage, and appropriate dissemination of highly confidential information.

· Must have an Oregon Driver's License and current motor vehicle insurance that suffices the Oregon Minimum Liability requirement.

Preferred Education and Experience

· Degree in a Human Service field of study (social work, counseling, psychology, or related field).

· Direct work in the field of veteran services

Being a part of the COVO team means:

• Our community of care extends to homeless persons, residents, vendors, consumers, staff, outside agencies, and all people who enter our dwelling places. Thus, we work to avoid making assumptions and generalizations about people. We demonstrate and foster respect for cultural differences. We believe in our ability to listen and learn from one another.

COVO is a community 501 c3 non-profit serving Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties since 2005. COVO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender, or any other protected class.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person