New Destiny’s mission is to end the cycle of violence for low-income families and individuals experiencing homelessness and domestic violence by connecting them to safe, permanent housing and services. To achieve its mission, New Destiny builds and manages housing with on-site services; offers innovative programs that assist survivors in finding and retaining affordable housing and expands access to permanent housing resources for survivors.

New Destiny, in partnership with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence (ENDGBV), is assisting New York City in administering the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) programs for households fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence (DV) and is seeking a team of Housing Navigators to support this project. These positions are contract-funded until July 2022 with the possibility of an extension and/or permanent full-time employment. The Housing Navigator position is an excellent opportunity for previous or current housing specialists, case managers and advocates looking to gain experience in launching a new program and be part of an unprecedented commitment by the federal and local government to safely house over 1,000 families fleeing domestic violence.

Selected candidates will report directly to a Housing Navigator Supervisor and have the following responsibilities:

Housing Navigation & Case Management:

• Conduct initial intake and assessment with clients to determine their needs and preferences for housing based on factors such as location of person causing harm, household size, disability needs, and social support networks.
• Utilize New York City’s landlord vacancy system as well as other resources to locate apartments that are available for rent.
• Assist EHV recipients with the process of securing housing including but not limited to, coordinating and attending apartment interviews; acquiring and submitting apartment applications, supporting documentation gathering and form submissions; navigating the various rental subsidy and inspection processes; securing applicable move-in assistance; and coordinating lease signings and move-ins with landlords and other relevant stakeholders.
• Communicate with EHV recipients regularly about the status of their housing search process, their rights and responsibilities, and any changes to their housing needs and preferences.
• Ensure households receive adequate safety planning assistance while searching for their new apartment.
• To help ensure long-term housing stability, make warm referrals for clients in need of financial assistance to cover items such as childcare, workforce or education development programs, etc.
• Provide initial follow-up after families move into their new housing to ensure a smooth transition, and connect those with greater service needs to available aftercare support services.

Data Entry:

• Maintain program data integrity by inputting and updating participant information, such as assessments, case notes, and demographic data, to the New Destiny database as well as the City’s EHV tracking system.
• Independently review internal progress reports to determine personal progress toward annual goals.

Partnership Management:

• Act as the liaison between participants, landlords, and other applicable groups (government agencies, community-based organizations, etc.).
• Professionally and thoroughly educate landlords, management companies, and brokers on the EHV program and relevant local, state, and federal policies and programs.
• When issues arise between stakeholders involved in the housing search process, mediate the situation in a professional manner that ensures continued positive relationships focused on the ultimate goal of housing the household.
• Provide technical assistance as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Have at least 2 years of professional experience working directly with affordable housing, DV or DHS shelters, or housing vouchers. Experience working with survivors of domestic violence is preferred.
• Have a bachelor’s degree (preferred but not required).
• Lived experience with domestic violence and/or housing insecurity will be considered in lieu of these professional and educational preferences.
• Have professional proficiency in English and one of the ten designated citywide languages (preferred). The ten designated citywide languages are Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Bengali, Haitian, Korean, Arabic, Urdu, French, and Polish.
• Be responsible, flexible, a self-starter, and able to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Be an excellent oral and written communicator.
• Have experience in interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Be familiar with Section 8 housing vouchers and public benefits related to housing access and stability such as New York City’s One-Shot Deal.
• Be comfortable traveling regularly within the New York City metro area to support clients.

The position has a prorated annual salary range of $55,000 to $60,000 and healthcare benefits are included. A hybrid model allowing for work-from-home days will be available for this position. Housing Navigators will be assigned to an office in one of the five boroughs for their in-office days. Borough-based office preferences will be taken into consideration for these assigned locations.

**UPDATED as of October 25**

New Destiny is committed to the safety of all employees and clients within our organization and programs.

In accordance with New York City’s vaccine mandate for the City workforce and employees of organizations with human services contracts, this position requires candidates to provide proof of being fully vaccinated or evidence of starting the process of becoming fully vaccinated before beginning their employment. This organization will consider accommodations for bona fide medical or a sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical belief.

New Destiny Housing Corporation provided the following inclusive hiring information:

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.'

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