B. Housing Navigator RFP 2024-20251
Housing Navigator
Request for Proposals
For the City of Northampton
Application Release Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023, 10 AM
Deadline for All Applications: Wednesday January 17, 2024, 10 AM
Application and Detailed Instructions: City of Northampton Website
Contents
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 2
Background .............................................................................................................................. 2
Position Summary.................................................................................................................... 3
Job Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 3
Job Description ........................................................................................................................ 4
Key Responsibilities ................................................................................................................ 4
Step by Step Application Process ............................................................................................ 5
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Overview
The City of Northampton (City) is requesting proposals and will award Community
Development Block Grant funding to pay a portion of salary to a (one) qualified agency
providing housing search and activities to get people housing ready. There are several agencies
already doing this work in the region, but this City funded initiative is aimed at addressing the
homelessness and housing instability faced by those in Northampton only.
By providing support to Northampton residents who are facing chronic and acute stress due to
various factors such as homelessness, climate change, and economic uncertainty, this role could
play a pivotal part in addressing the immediate housing needs of those in our community.
This Request for Proposals document will guide qualified agencies towards submitting a
comprehensive response to the RFP.
Background
The report "Unlocking Opportunity – An Assessment of Barriers to Fair Housing in
Northampton" (2019) by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) highlights the
complexity and challenges of navigating the affordable housing system. This report, which was
based on focus groups, stakeholder interviews, a fair housing survey, and a public forum,
identified major barriers to finding housing.
The process of finding and applying for affordable housing is complex, with many different
federal, state, city, and non-profit subsidies, vouchers, subsidized apartments, emergency funds,
and other housing related services each with different eligibility and documentation
requirements. This complexity is further compounded by the fact that there are many changes in
these subsidies and services each year. Having a centralized case manager who is current with all
of these resources would improve access to them.
Additionally, many of the people needing affordable housing face additional barriers including
evictions or no rental history, bad credit, low-income, criminal history, mental illness, drug use,
and/or poor financial skills. There are also additional considerations for older adults, families,
and people living with pets. These factors make it even more challenging for them to secure
affordable housing.
The report underscored the need for comprehensive solutions that not only simplifies the process
of finding and applying for affordable housing, but also address the broader social and economic
challenges faced by those in need. It's a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to
create a more equitable and accessible affordable housing system.
This role would not only help to navigate the complex system of housing subsidies and supports
but also provide much-needed educational materials to overcome the aforementioned housing
barriers. Additionally, the high caseloads of social service and mental health case managers in
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Northampton make it challenging for them to create and maintain an updated database of
housing subsidies, legal resources, or educational materials. A dedicated Housing Navigator
could fill this gap and provide a centralized resource for this crucial information.
Moreover, given the substantial homeless and low-income population in Northampton and the
limited availability of lower rent or affordable houses, this role could play a pivotal role in
helping people who live or work in the city to find suitable housing.
Position Summary The Housing Navigator would be based in Northampton to provide housing related duties and
functions. These include:
(1) Creating a comprehensive listing of federal, state, City, and non-profit housing subsidies,
vouchers, subsidized apartments, emergency funds, legal assistance, and other housing
related services;
(2) Will have set weekly hours at the Division of Community Care (DCC) at 1 Roundhouse
Plaza- to be negotiated after Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award;
(3) Compiling educational materials relating to overcoming other housing barriers such as an
eviction history, poor credit, criminal and/or drug and/or mental illness history, etc.;
(4) Provide outreach, consultation, and training to staff in area social service and mental
health agencies, and recruited volunteer who work with homeless or other displaced
people;
(5) Establish relationships with area landlords; and
(6) Keep involved in the practical realities of casework, such as by having a very small
occasional caseload of people needing housing. This Housing Navigator will have only a
limited direct service responsibility to clients in order to have sufficient time to carry out
the above listed duties.
Job Purpose The Housing Navigator plays a crucial role in the City’s mission to combat homelessness in our community. The role is designed to improve health outcomes and provide stability and dignity to
those whose lives have been disrupted by homelessness, substance misuse and/or incarceration.
As a grant-funded position by the City of Northampton’s CBDG program, the Housing Navigator will work under the direction of their agencies supervisor and will report quarterly and annually to the City of Northampton (City) through its CDBG program.
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Job Description
The Housing Navigator is a key member of the City’s response to the homelessness crisis. This
role is dedicated to assisting homeless individuals in their search for stable and secure housing. The Housing Navigator provides advocacy, education, and counseling on housing search and getting people “housing ready” for those who are currently experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
The role involves facilitating housing search for individual clients, providing education around
tenant rights and responsibilities, and coordinating among different agencies. For this round of CDBG funding, the Housing Navigator will work part-time out of the DCC. In the future, for further City granted CDBG funding, the Housing Navigator will work out of the Community Resiliency Hub.
Key Responsibilities
1. Housing Search and Placement
Assist people experiencing homeless and housing insecurity in identifying and securing
housing options that meet their needs and preferences. This includes researching available housing options, coordinating viewings, and helping with the application process. This will also including helping the clients fill out applications, get on wait-lists, and to prepare for the next step in the process.
2. Housing Ready
The Housing Navigator will get clients "Housing Ready", which can include helping clients to gather and organize various documents, such as ID, birth certificate, past records, proof of income, and SSDI. Preparing clients prior to finding an available housing unit is a critical first stop in ensuring their ultimate success in getting housed.
3. Interagency Coordination
Collaborate with the Division of Community Care and other agencies working with people experiencing homelessness; which includes other agencies conducting housing searches to streamline efforts, share information, and avoid duplication of services.
The Housing Navigator will have knowledge of the regional ecosystem of service
providers, coordinate with other providers, and participate in regional coordination calls. Housing Navigator will ensure a holistic approach to housing search and placement. This includes coordinating with social services, healthcare providers, and other relevant organizations as needed.
4. Case Management
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Maintain detailed records of each individual’s housing search progress, including notes on
interactions, follow-ups, and outcomes. Ensure security of all Personally Identifiable
Information (PII). Case management is more than just filling out the paperwork, but supporting clients throughout the process and being a mentor to them. Ideally, Housing Navigator will be integrated into the coordinated entry or Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
5. Advocacy
Advocates for the housing needs of homeless individuals at various levels, including landlords, housing agencies, and government entities.
Supervision Received
The Housing Navigator works under their agency sponsor supervisor.
Qualifications
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems independently
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience working with homeless populations or in a housing search role
• Ability to navigate complex systems and advocate effectively on behalf of clients
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of
individuals and organizations
Education and Experience
• Demonstrated housing counseling, office or administrative field
• Experience successfully completing complex tasks with a minimum of supervision
• Spanish language a plus as well as individuals with lived experience, who have been in
recovery for a minimum of two years
Step by Step Application Process
1. All Documents available on LaserFiche public folder
2. Download the appropriate application (Word or PDF)
a. All Applicants: General Application
b. Housing Navigator Applicants: General Application + Housing Navigator
Application
3. Download Budget Excel Sheet
a. Only need to submit one budget
4. Fill out the Application(s) and Budget in the documents with enough buffer time for
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any issues that may arise
5. Gather appropriate attachments
6. Copy the answers from your saved document into the Google Form
a. All Applicants Here
b. Housing Navigator Applicants Here
7. Attachments will be uploaded at the end of the “All Applicants” Google Form, to
include:
a. Project Budget – Excel sheet
b. Agency most recent audit
c. IRS 501(c) 3 Letter (Exemption Determination)
d. Personnel Handbook
8. All Applications are due on Wednesday January 17, 2024 at 10 AM