Housing Navigator

Housing Navigator

Mending Our Mistakes, Inc. (M.O.M.)
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Program Director / Executive Director
Location: Arkansas (Malvern / Garland County / surrounding service areas with local travel required)

Position Summary

The Housing Navigator helps stabilize families involved in custody, visitation, child support, and reentry-related challenges by assisting participants with safe, sustainable housing pathways. This position focuses on reducing barriers that contribute to family instability, court noncompliance, unemployment, recidivism, and loss of parent-child contact.

The Housing Navigator serves as a bridge between participants and housing systems by helping individuals locate housing opportunities, complete applications, communicate with landlords, resolve barriers, coordinate supportive services, and maintain housing stability. The role combines practical problem-solving, trauma-informed engagement, accountability support, and intensive case coordination.

This position is especially focused on supporting:

• Noncustodial parents
• Justice-involved individuals
• Parents exiting incarceration
• Participants facing homelessness or housing instability
• Families attempting reunification or visitation restoration

Core Responsibilities

Housing Stabilization & Navigation

• Conduct housing needs assessments and individualized housing stabilization planning
• Assist participants in locating:
• Emergency shelter
• Transitional housing
• Income-based housing
• Shared housing opportunities
• Permanent supportive housing
• Rural housing resources
• Help participants complete housing applications and collect required documentation
• Assist with obtaining identification documents, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and income verification
• Coordinate move-in logistics and housing transition planning
• Maintain updated resource lists for landlords, housing authorities, shelters, and supportive housing providers

Landlord & Community Coordination

• Build relationships with landlords, housing providers, nonprofits, and community agencies
• Advocate for participants experiencing barriers related to criminal history, evictions, poor credit, or child support debt
• Coordinate referrals with:
• Public Housing Authorities
• HUD and Continuum of Care partners
• Arkansas community action agencies
• Recovery housing providers
• Reentry organizations
• Domestic violence and family support agencies
• Participate in local housing coalition meetings and collaborative initiatives where applicable

Participant Support & Case Coordination

• Work collaboratively with Case Managers, Peer Mentors, Workforce Coordinators, and Legal Navigators
• Monitor participant progress toward housing stability goals
• Assist participants in developing budgeting and tenancy skills
• Support transportation coordination related to housing appointments and inspections
• Document participant engagement, referrals, barriers, outcomes, and follow-up activities
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes in accordance with organizational and grant requirements

Crisis Intervention & Retention Support

• Respond to housing crises, eviction risks, utility shutoff concerns, or unsafe living conditions
• Develop housing retention plans with participants
• Coordinate referrals for:
• Mental health services
• Substance use treatment
• Employment services
• Financial literacy
• Emergency assistance programs
• Assist with conflict mediation between tenants and landlords when appropriate

Program Compliance & Data Tracking

• Maintain confidential participant records
• Track housing outcomes, referrals, and stabilization metrics
• Assist with grant reporting and program performance documentation
• Support collection of data related to:
• Housing placement
• Retention rates
• Employment stability
• Family reunification progress
• Reduction in recidivism risk factors

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, criminal justice, public administration, or related field preferred
• Experience working with vulnerable or justice-involved populations preferred
• Knowledge of housing systems, public assistance programs, or community resources preferred
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred
• Ability to work with individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, and complex barriers

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in:

• Housing navigation
• Homeless services
• Reentry programming
• Case management
• Recovery support
• Family stabilization services
• Familiarity with Arkansas housing resources and landlord networks
• Trauma-informed care training
• Motivational interviewing or peer support experience
• HMIS or case management database experience

Key Competencies

• Trauma-informed engagement
• Crisis management
• Resource coordination
• Advocacy and negotiation
• Professional documentation
• Problem-solving and adaptability
• Cultural and socioeconomic sensitivity
• Relationship-building with community partners

Work Environment

• Combination of office, field, and community-based work
• Frequent local travel for participant meetings, landlord visits, and housing coordination
• May involve occasional evening or weekend availability depending on participant needs

Mission Alignment

The Housing Navigator plays a critical role in M.O.M.’s mission to strengthen family stability, reduce barriers to successful reintegration, and help parents rebuild safe, sustainable foundations for themselves and their children. This role recognizes that housing stability is directly connected to employment, compliance, mental wellness, visitation consistency, and long-term family restoration.

Additional Information This position is expected to begin following anticipated funding decisions and program implementation timelines. Interviews may be conducted prior to award notification, with final hiring decisions anticipated in July or August 2026.

Pay: From $24.47 per hour

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Malvern, AR 72104