Navigation Specialist

Sasha Bruce Youthwork provided pay range

Base pay: $50,000.00 per year.

Full Time

Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY) is the leading provider of homeless youth services in the DC Region. Through the holistic integration of its Pillars of Opportunity, Sasha Bruce is able to provide safe homes, life skills, and workforce development to meet the unique needs of homeless youth. For more than 45 years, Sasha Bruce has implemented innovative interventions aimed at bringing an end to youth homelessness in the DC region.

Today, its programs in DC and Prince George’s County, MD, reach over 6,500 runaway, homeless, abused, and neglected youth, and their families.

• Philip Reid is a joint 90‑day shelter and extended transitional housing program for up to 24 youth through age 24. The short‑term shelter allows young people to stay up to 90 days before they are placed with a longer‑term housing program through the CAHP system. The ETH side, chronically homeless youth can stay up to six years, depending on their age, and are supported with intensive case management services in order to establish a level of stability and self‑sufficiency.
• PASSAGES is an extended transitional housing program with shared apartment units in the ward. The program is meant for chronically homeless youth up to age 24 who can stay up to six years, depending on their age, and are supported with intensive case management services in order to establish a level of stability and self‑sufficiency.

Under the Program Manager(s), the Housing Navigation Specialist will be responsible for assisting clients in identifying and obtaining safe and affordable housing opportunities.

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a human services related field OR three years of experience working with at‑risk youth, vulnerable populations – preferably homeless populations.
• Knowledge of housing subsidies, rules, regulations, and affordable housing industry; knowledge of the DC housing market specifically.
• Familiarity with social services and support agencies in the District as it relates to housing.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Full‑time exempt level; candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; pass required clearances and provide any necessary information regarding previous records. Background history must not show a history of financial mismanagement issues. This position may also require a credit check.

• Develop a housing goal with clients that includes barriers and steps to address them; determine eligibility for different housing supports; plan for maintaining housing after program completion.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with community agencies, landlords, and real estate brokers willing to accept SBY clients; research and compile information on available units and upcoming vacancies to distribute to ready‑to‑move clients.
• Actively work with clients in their housing search; actively support clients in the application process.
• Conduct initial home inspections before signing a lease; support clients in understanding the lease, legal responsibilities, and rights as a tenant.
• Support clients through the move‑in process, including coordinating utilities, furniture, arrangement payment, etc.
• As part of a discharge plan, refer clients to appropriate services and supports to ensure maintenance and permanent housing after move‑in and time lapses in either SBY program.
• Create and facilitate appropriate life‑skills workshops on housing, including topics such as budgeting, credit, prioritizing housing needs, rental application, leases, maintaining an apartment, prepping to move, tenant’s rights and responsibilities, being a good neighbor, being a good roommate, navigating utilities, etc.
• Support or provide crisis intervention and on‑site counseling as appropriate.
• Provide office coverage, answer and record all phone calls and visitors.
• Complete service documentation in client case records within 24–48 hours of the service; maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files, written documentation,…