Housing Navigator

Full-Time | Housing Department - Lodge | $21.75/hour | Non-Exempt

Meridian has provided compassionate mental health, substance use, and community-based services for more than 50 years, helping individuals and communities across North Central Florida build healthier futures.

BUILD YOUR CAREER WHILE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Are you passionate about helping people find not just a place to live, but a place they can call home?

As a Housing Navigator at Meridian, you'll be an important part of a multidisciplinary team helping individuals experiencing homelessness overcome barriers to safe, stable, and permanent housing. You'll work directly with program participants, landlords, property managers, community agencies, and case management teams to create housing opportunities and help individuals successfully transition into and maintain their housing.

This is a hands-on, community-based role where you'll build relationships, advocate for clients, and help find creative solutions when challenges arise. Whether you're helping someone navigate a lease, connecting with a new landlord, conducting a home visit, or working to prevent an eviction, your efforts can help create the stability individuals need to move forward.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Competitive pay: $21.75/hour
Generous PTO for vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability
403(b) retirement plan with company match
Tuition reimbursement to support continued education and career growth
Professional development and career advancement opportunities
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
Additional employee discounts and perks
The opportunity to build meaningful experience in housing services, community outreach, advocacy, and homelessness services
Most importantly, the opportunity to help individuals move toward the safety and stability of permanent housing

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As a Housing Navigator, you'll help program participants identify, secure, and maintain permanent housing while building strong relationships with landlords, property managers, community organizations, and other housing partners.

Your responsibilities may include:

Support program participants with locating and securing permanent housing.
Build and maintain positive relationships with landlords and property management professionals.
Conduct landlord outreach to identify and develop additional housing opportunities for program participants.
Serve as a liaison between clients, landlords, property managers, Meridian programs, and other housing partners.
Create and maintain a database of landlords and available housing resources.
Provide clients with housing resources and guidance to help them reach their permanent housing goals.
Participate in the development of individualized service plans.
Advocate and negotiate housing options on behalf of clients experiencing barriers to obtaining housing.
Help resolve tenant and landlord concerns by collaborating with clients, property managers, and case management teams.
Work creatively with clients and landlords to help prevent evictions and promote positive, long-term tenancies.
Provide individual and group education related to tenant rights, housing retention, tenancy skills, and money management.
Negotiate rental agreements with landlords and assist clients with reviewing leases and preparing for move-in.
Conduct housing and property inspections as required.
Conduct office, home, and community-based visits with program participants.
Maintain documentation related to income certifications, subsidy calculations, lease approvals, and participant leases.
Document services in the HMIS database, including client intake, program entry, services, and program exit information.
Assist with client intake, initial assessments, and the maintenance of client files.
Participate in Continuum of Care (CoC) meetings and other relevant community meetings.
Network and collaborate with community agencies, coalitions, government entities, and professional organizations.
Maintain close communication with Case Managers regarding client progress, barriers, and housing needs.
Share educational information, resources, and referrals with individuals, families, and community partners.
Meet applicable units-of-service requirements and contractual expectations.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and other program activities.
Perform additional duties as needed to support Housing Department goals and the individuals we serve.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Education & Experience

Associate degree preferred.
At least 2 years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, accessing community benefits, housing services, and/or community development is preferred.
At least 1 year of experience working with landlords and professional property management.
Relevant professional experience may substitute for education.
Experience connecting individuals with community resources and services is valuable in this role.
Experience working with computer systems, including spreadsheets, databases, and word-processing applications.

YOUR HOUSING & ADVOCACY TOOLKIT

You'll be successful in this role if you're compassionate, persistent, resourceful, and comfortable building relationships with both the individuals we serve and the community partners who can help make housing possible.

You'll bring:

Compassion & Empathy: The ability to meet individuals where they are and provide support with dignity, patience, and respect.
Client Advocacy: A commitment to helping individuals overcome barriers and find safe, sustainable housing opportunities.
Relationship Building: The ability to establish and maintain positive partnerships with landlords, property managers, community agencies, and other housing resources.
Housing Navigation: The ability to help individuals understand housing options, leases, tenant responsibilities, and available resources.
Problem-Solving: The ability to think creatively when housing barriers arise and work toward solutions that support both clients and landlords.
Conflict Resolution: The ability to help navigate tenant and landlord concerns professionally while working toward positive resolutions.
Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working with clients, landlords, colleagues, and community partners.
Organization & Documentation: The ability to maintain accurate client files, housing documentation, service records, and HMIS information.
Community Collaboration: A willingness to actively participate in community partnerships and develop resources that expand housing opportunities.
Teamwork: A collaborative approach to working with Case Managers and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Independence & Adaptability: The ability to manage responsibilities across office, home, property, and community-based settings.

TRAVEL & COMMUNITY-BASED WORK

This position goes beyond a traditional office setting. You'll spend time in the community supporting clients, meeting with landlords, visiting properties, and helping individuals navigate their path toward permanent housing.

A current Florida driver's license and acceptable driving record are required.
Candidates must meet Meridian's motor vehicle and company insurance eligibility requirements.
Center Driver eligibility requires candidates to be at least 21 years of age and have an active Florida driver's license.
Driving eligibility includes no more than three moving violations and/or accidents within the past three years and no major violations within the past five years.
Local travel may be required for home visits, property inspections, landlord meetings, community meetings, and other housing-related needs.
Candidates should be comfortable conducting office, home, property, and field-based visits with program participants.

HELP TURN HOUSING INTO HOPE

At Meridian, we understand that housing is more than four walls and a roof. It can be the foundation for stability, independence, recovery, and a new beginning.

As a Housing Navigator, you'll have the opportunity to help individuals experiencing homelessness navigate what can often feel like an overwhelming journey toward permanent housing. You'll advocate for clients, build relationships with landlords, help resolve challenges, and celebrate the moments when someone finally has a place they can call home.

Your work can help create lasting connections between clients and the community while giving individuals the support and resources they need to build greater stability in their lives.

If you're compassionate, resourceful, and passionate about helping people overcome barriers to housing, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today for the Housing Navigator position at Meridian Healthcare.

ABOUT MERIDIAN

For more than 50 years, Meridian Healthcare has provided behavioral health, substance use, and community-based services throughout North Central Florida. Our mission is to bring hope and healing to individuals, families, and communities.

Our culture is guided by our H.E.A.R.T. values: Hope, Empathy, Accountability, Resilience, and Teamwork.

We're committed to creating a supportive workplace where employees can grow, contribute, develop their careers, and make a meaningful impact.

For information on Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and screening requirements, visit:
https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Meridian is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Benefits and program eligibility may vary by position. Employment is subject to applicable position requirements, including driving eligibility, background requirements, and organizational policies.