SSVF Housing Navigator- Middletown

Columbus House, Inc.

Job Posting:

Full Time (32 hours/week), FLSA Non-Exempt, Non-Essential

SSVF Housing Navigator VEVRAA Federal Contractor:

Priority Referrals of Protected Veterans Requested Company Overview & Mission Columbus House opened its doors in 1982 to provide services for men and women at least 18 years of age. Our goals quickly broadened from the mere provision of food and shelter and simple survival, to understanding and working toward overcoming the problems which cause people to become homeless. Columbus House, along with its core of loyal supporters, friends, and volunteers, has remained committed to fulfilling its mission: "To serve people experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk by providing life-saving outreach, shelter and housing and by fostering their personal growth and independence. We advocate for and create affordable housing to end homelessness in our communities." Purpose Under the direction of the SSVF Senior Program Manager, the SSVF Housing Navigator will collaborate with the

VA HUD-VASH

teams to provide services to veteran households in need of housing and services. These services will include developing service plans, providing an appropriate level of guidance and support, facilitating referrals, and serving as an advocate on behalf of participants to assist them in securing services, entitlements, and support to reach their goals. A critical responsibility will be to cultivate housing opportunities and to assist participants in avoiding homelessness or transitioning from homelessness to more appropriate and stable housing. The navigator will also facilitate landlord recruitment and build relationships to create a portfolio of housing options available to veterans entering the housing search process. The SSVF Housing Navigator should have a good understanding of the veteran s housing preference, keep the veteran engaged in the search process, assist the veteran in gathering all documents necessary for housing enrollment, accompany to view available housing opportunities and advocate for the veteran s behalf with landlords. Duties and Responsibilities The housing navigator will provide assistance with direct housing search which includes, but is not limited to, driving veterans to or meeting veterans at housing units both for viewing and walk-through purposes, providing housing lists to veterans, marketing VASH to area landlords and building relationships with landlords fostering continued and expanding VASH-appropriate housing stock. The housing navigator will act as a consultant to other teams and staff and is available to support HUD-VASH and other Health Care for Homeless veterans staff with housing expertise. The navigator will be required to build relationships and create a portfolio of housing options in their assigned areas. The navigator will provide consultation/education to veterans on community resources. The SSVF Housing Navigator will provide a full range of discipline-specific services within commonly accepted standards of professional practice which include case management services, discharge planning, and other services as appropriate. Monitor all cases assigned and complete all documentation/charting required by Columbus House and the SSVF Program Office Other related duties as assigned Qualifications Bachelor s Degree in Human Services required with a minimum of two years experience working in human services or related fields Excellent organizational and time management skills with a deadline-oriented mindset Strong written and oral communication skills employing the English language Proficient in Microsoft Office and other common desktop applications Able to effectively use the local network of substance abuse, mental health, and social services providers Familiar with mental health, substance abuse and dual diagnosis issues, and group dynamics Complete knowledge base of all aspects of the delivery of person-centered case management Able to meet all documentation requirements Knowledgeable about crisis intervention, boundaries, confidentiality, universal precautions, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing Valid driver s license with a good driving history Supervised by :

SSVF Program Manager Schedule :

32 hours per week; Monday - Thursday 8am-4pm Salary range: $25.50 - $27.50 Benefits Medical, dental, and vision benefits are offered along with other additional voluntary coverages with full-time employment 401 K retirement plan with employer matching contribution Paid time off 10 paid holidays Please send your resume and a cover letter to Human Resources Generalist, Columbus House Inc., 586 Ella Grasso Boulevard P.O. Box 7093, New Haven CT. 06519 or fax to 203-773-1430 or email to hr@columbushouse.org or apply at www.columbushouse.org

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer:

Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities Encouraged to Apply