Housing Navigator

Description Full-time, Non-union position 8am to 5pm; 40 hours per week $21.00 per hour Basic Function Works to ensure access and participation of consumers in available permanent housing opportunities and ensure consumers remain stably housed. Supports the work of the Meriden/Middletown/Wallingford CAN coordination process.

Responsibilities

• Engages participants in identification of housing opportunities and assists with the placement process including landlord dialogue, and inspection services
• Works with participants to address barriers to stable housing including linkages to benefit assistance programs and both internal/external community resources
• Provides ongoing supports for participants in meeting housing goals and in-home visits to ensure housing stabilization
• Participates in data collection and service documentation activities and maintains accurate client files
• Completes monthly and quarterly data and narrative reports on program performance
• Works in support of MMW CAN identified goals related to housing placement and exit strategies
• Works on the tracking of customer activity for the MMW region as well as the identification of trends in placements/exits/length of stay
• Attends Meriden/Middletown/Wallingford CAN meetings as needed
• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements Education:

Bachelors Degree in Social Work or Human Services or related field preferred. Similar combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience 2 years experience in direct housing assistance services and building/managing relationships with community partners.

Job Skills Knowledge of Community Resources

Knowledge of HUD Housing Assistance Programs

Ability to review, analyze, and report out on data

Problem Solving/Conflict Resolution

Excellent oral and written skills

Computer skills (Word, Outlook, and Excel)

Willing to travel to various locations

Licenses/certification Must have valid Connecticut driver’s license and access to privately maintained vehicle.

Benefits Include

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay

New Opportunities' mission is to improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged individuals by providing the necessary resources to increase their standard of living, foster self-improvement, and maximize self-empowerment. New Opportunities Inc. is the community action agency that serves Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 22 surrounding Connecticut towns . We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need. Headquartered in Waterbury and the cities fourth largest employer, New Opportunities has additional offices in Meriden, Torrington, Danbury and Thomaston for the convenience of those they serve. Annually, more than 61,000 individuals benefit from programs offered at this agency, guided by the New Opportunities staff who helped them find the way to meet their needs. In accordance with the mission of New Opportunities, the Agency aims to increase the self-sufficiency of its customers and support their move out of poverty toward a more middle-class lifestyle. In 1964, the Agency incorporated as a private non-profit corporation in the State of Connecticut and is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization. With an annual budget for 2014 in excess of $41 million dollars, New Opportunities administers more than 50 social service programs targeted to the low-income, elderly and disabled communities. While the range of programs is broad, they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Energy Assistance
• Fatherhood Initiative
• Child Welfare and Family Development Services
• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elderly Services
• Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing
• Ex-Offender Programs and Re-entry Services

EOE/AA/Veteran/Disability