NAYA Family Center is seeking a capable and dedicated MSI Housing Advocate who will support families/households’ efforts to obtain housing resources and support from public and private organizations (including landlords, employers, and government agencies). The Housing Advocate’s responsibilities center on building relationships with the program’s diverse clientele by fostering trust and supporting their strengths and capabilities in a fully engaging manner (regardless of clients’ backgrounds, personal histories, and/or household compositions). This is primarily a direct service position with some time spent performing administrative tasks such as gathering and tracking eligibility documentation, data collection, reporting and service coordination.

NAYA offers an exceptional benefits package, including free medical, dental and vision insurance for employees (and affordable care for family members), 401(k) retirement plan with 6% match, paid vacation and paid holidays.

This is a full time role with work hours of 9am-6pm with a one hour unpaid lunch. Some flexibility with work schedule available upon pre-approval; evenings and occasional weekends, as assigned. Estimated 60% of time is in office working remotely while 40% includes outside office work and travel. Possibility to work 1-2 days remotely after onboarding.

What you'll Do:

• Initiate and support processes that reduce harm to low-income families and promote transition into sustainable housing.
• Use strengths-based case management, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First and Assertive Engagement approach.
• Use assertive engagement techniques to meet participants where they are willing to participate and collaborate with participants in setting goals and identifying steps to achieve them.
• Assist with all aspects of permanent housing placement including rental screening barrier reduction, documentation readiness, search, application, landlord advocacy, move-in support, securing furnishings, setting up utilities, and other housing stabilization activities.
• Provide supportive housing services to families to promote housing retention, including options to increase income over time.
• Maintain documentation in a timely, thorough, and accurate manner in accordance with agency guidelines and as required by funding sources. Collect information on participant demographics and program outcomes.
• Support participants in connecting or reconnecting with their culture and traditions as one part of a helpful path forward.
• Develop positive relationships with collaborative partners and external providers.
• Maintain communication with and be responsive to property managers if concerns arise to support participants in retaining their housing and avoiding eviction. Follow up with property managers to determine outcome of any needed interventions.
• Work collaboratively with participants on ongoing needs assessment. Coordinate closely with other providers/support systems to address participant needs; including referring and connecting participants to services provided by other agencies.
• Regularly connect with and/or visit with newly placed families in their homes. Continue to contact and support housed families to promote housing stabilization for at least two years.
• Encourage families to enroll all school age children in an available school that most closely meets their needs.
• Consistently use strong professional judgment while providing services to participants; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting participants and working with participants in the community and in their homes
• Provide ongoing assessment of risk of harm for each individual and respond appropriately
• Actively and collaboratively participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and consultations

Who are you:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, or similar field preferred; high school diploma or GED required and equivalent of two years of experience working with clients may be an acceptable substitute.
• Knowledge of underlying issues impacting homelessness and poverty required
• Knowledge of local community resources, emergency services, and social service agencies, focused on low-income and BIPOC community required
• Knowledge of Native American history, an understanding of the diversity of the local Indigenous/Alaska Native community and issues surrounding the Urban Indian experience preferred
• Understanding of trauma-informed care, non-violent communication, and conflict resolution.
• Certification (or ability to certify) and ability to maintain certification in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), 1st Aid and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), if requested
• Experience working within diverse populations (specifically with the urban and reservation Native American population, including working within a tribe, board, or other organization) strongly preferred
• Experience using the Assertive Engagement and Housing First model of service delivery preferred
• Ability to stay composed and exercise good judgment in stressful situations such as working with participants facing trauma with multiple complex needs
• Ability to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting deadlines or workload demands by applying strong organizational systems and efficiently managing time
• Clear and effective communication skills including active listening
• Proficient computer skills including:
• Web-based research
• Word Processing
• MS Excel
• Database use
• Email

Questions? Want to chat about this role before you decide to apply? Contact Fabi Mascote, Housing Coordinator or NAYA HR at jobs@nayapdx.org.