Housing Navigator

Housing Navigator

About Us

CARITAS creates a safe space to heal and time to rebuild. Our five programs provide solutions for shelter recovery services workforce development and the furniture bank.

The CARITAS Emergency Shelter as of the five programs of this thriving non-profit provides compassionate hospitality to those experiencing homelessness in our region. Services are offered to both men and women on our Richmond campuses and basic needs such as shelter meals clothing and connections to supportive services are provided. We take an integrated approach to helping people solve their housing crisis by connecting them with a housing specialist. This position provides supervision and guidance in the shelter environment and works alongside housing specialists volunteers and other CARITAS staff.

Essential Functions:

The Housing Navigator reports to the Senior Case Manager and is responsible for assisting shelter participants from CARITASs year-round Emergency Shelter and Surge Shelter with housing needs.

Summary/Objective

The Housing Navigator plays a critical role in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness by connecting them to stable safe and affordable housing. Based within CARITASs year-round Emergency Shelter and Surge Weather Shelter this position serves as the primary point of contact for all housing-related services for shelter participants and also supports individuals residing in CARITAS Recovery Residences. The Housing Navigator will work closely with shelter participants landlords community partners and housing authorities to identify housing opportunities and ensure successful transitions to permanent housing.

Essential Functions

Housing Navigation & Placement:

• Provide individualized housing assessments and create housing plans for shelter and Recovery Residence participants.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local housing inventory including rental units rooming houses shared living opportunities and emergency or transitional housing options.
• Actively build and manage relationships with local landlords property managers rooming house owners and housing providers.
• Identify and track available units; proactively match them with participants ready for housing.

Support Services:

• Educate participants about tenant rights and responsibilities lease agreements and landlord-tenant law.
• Assist participants in completing housing applications preparing documentation and accessing necessary supportive services or benefits.
• Advocate on behalf of participants with landlords and housing programs to reduce barriers to placement.
• Collaborate with shelter staff case managers and peer mentors to coordinate services and support housing stability post-placement.

Program Development & Partnerships:

• Stay current on local housing policies housing authority processes and affordable housing developments.
• Develop partnerships with housing authorities and non-profit housing providers.
• Coordinate with the Development and Data teams to ensure proper documentation of housing outcomes and trends.

Compliance & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participant interactions housing placements and landlord communications.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws regulations and funder requirements.
• Track and report housing-related metrics for grant reporting and internal evaluation.

Qualifications

• Certified Housing Counselor (must hold active certification)
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in housing navigation case management or a related human services field
• Knowledge of landlord-tenant law and fair housing regulations
• Understanding of housing authority operations and local housing resources
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build trust with vulnerable populations and community partners
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Preferred:

• Experience working in an emergency shelter or recovery-focused setting
• Familiarity with HMIS (Homeless Management Information System)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Disclosure Statement:

This position is grant-funded.