Diversion Advocate

• Location 5240 Fountain Drive,Crown Point, IN, 46307,United States
• Base Pay $20.00 - $20.00 / Hour
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree
• Manage Others No

Reportingtothe Managerof Homeless Resources ,the Diversion Advocate delivers  
housing-focused, client-centered services designed to prevent homelessness through immediate intervention, housing problem-solving, and stabilization planning.

Diversion Advocacy is a strategic, short-term approach that assists individuals and families seeking shelter or at risk of eviction or foreclosure to identify safe alternative housing arrangements, resolve immediate housing crises, and connect to financial assistance and supportive services. This approach reduces the likelihood of future homelessness and aligns with HUD’s focus on housing stability, financial capability, and sustainable outcomes
.

The Diversion Advocate provides individualized coaching, assessment, and housing counseling-informed services to support households in achieving and maintaining stable housing. This role combines crisis intervention, housing navigation, and financial coaching, with services delivered both in-office and in the community.

• Conduct comprehensive, client-centered assessments to evaluate housing instability, including risk of eviction or foreclosure
• Utilize trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches to engage households

• Apply structured housing problem-solving techniques to prevent shelter entry
• Identify safe alternatives to homelessness, including family reunification, shared housing, and relocation strategies
• Develop individualized Housing Stabilization Plans with clear, measurable goals

• Provide direct intervention to prevent eviction and foreclosure, including:
• Lease compliance and tenancy support
• Navigation of eviction and foreclosure processes
• Connect clients to legal, financial, and housing counseling resources
• Deliver housing counseling-informed services consistent with HUD standards, including:
• Budgeting and financial assessment
• Housing affordability planning
• Financial capability coaching
• Support clients in achieving long-term housing stability
• Assess eligibility for Diversion financial assistance
• Ensure strategic and appropriate use of funds to solve housing crises
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to support stabilization

• Complete Coordinated Entry (CE) and CE-DV assessments as appropriate
• Refer households to CE when Diversion is not a safe or viable option
• Participate in case conferencing and system coordination

• Provide services in community settings, including:
• Home visits
• Landlord and lender meetings

• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation in HMIS and agency systems
• Ensure case files reflect assessments, services, and outcomes
• Adhere to HUD, CARF, and funder requirements
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords, lenders, and service providers
• Coordinate referrals and promote Diversion services in the community
• Participate in performance monitoring and quality improvement activities

• Follow all federal, state, and local program requirements
• Fulfill mandated reporter responsibilities under Indiana law
• Attend required trainings and meetings

Performance will be evaluated based on:

• Percentage of households successfully diverted from shelter
• Reduction in eviction and foreclosure outcomes
• Timeliness of housing crisis resolution

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field preferred, or equivalent experience
• Minimum one year experience working with individuals and families in crisis or housing instability
• Knowledge of housing resources, eviction and foreclosure processes preferred
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently in both office and field settings

• Must obtain HUD Housing Counseling Certification within 60 days of hire

• Primarily field-based with travel throughout CoAction’s service area
• Regular home visits, landlord/lender meetings, and community engagement

Summary

Area Agency on Aging and Community Action Agency for Northwest Indiana, founded in 1965, CoAction’s mission is to ensure people experiencing financial hardship find opportunities, resources, and respect.

Serving residents in Lake, Porter, Jasper, Newton, LaPorte, Pulaski, and Starke Counties.