The Resettlement Housing Navigator supports the long-term resettlement of immigrants and refugees in Minnesota. This position will establish a relationship with each family on their caseload and assist them in maintaining housing stability, learning the U.S. housing system, and integrating into the community. This is an AmeriCorps service member position with the Minnesota Resettlement Corps.
Service Activities
Support Housing Stability
• Support clients with stabilizing current housing or securing new housing when necessary to promote stability. Support clients in communicating with landlords and property managers, including requesting repairs.
• Support clients with accessing assistance programs such as rental assistance, public benefits, energy assistance, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Assist clients with applying for public housing programs.
• Connect clients with employment services to help clients increase household income.
• Connect clients with Resettlement Network services as needed for household needs.
• Support clients with understanding the housing system, including leases (content, renewal, giving notice, etc.), paying rent, paying utilities, rules and processes at rental location (mail, laundry, common spaces, trash, recycling, quiet hours, supervision of children), housing rights and responsibilities, and being a good tenant and neighbor.
• Support clients with developing a housing budget and accessing resources to help with costs such as
assistance programs.
Community Engagement and Integration
• Support participants with activities to promote integration into the community, including connecting them with resources in the neighborhood (grocery stores, convenience stores, banks, food shelves, etc.) and recreation opportunities (parks, community centers, etc.)
• Support participants with learning public transit routes in and around home and to destinations important to the household
• Serve as a liaison between the participant and the systems they are accessing, as necessary.
Data Management and Confidentiality
• Maintain documentation of services provided, participant activities, and progress toward goals.
• Provide complete, accurate, and timely documentation of data using required data systems.
• Maintain participant confidentiality at all times.
Communication and Professional Conduct
• Create a welcoming environment for clients, and work to establish a relationship with all in caseload.
• Respond to client, potential client, pro-bono attorney, community, and partner inquiries and appropriately refer questions higher in the agency as needed.
• Work collaboratively with other individuals who are helping clients with their goals (e.g., other programs at host site, Resettlement Network partners, community service providers).
• Promote an environment that eliminates discrimination, harassment or favoritism of any sort and adheres to site and Ampact policy. Resolve conflicts and recognize when a conflict must be referred to a higher level. Model appropriate behavior and treat all clients and colleagues with respect and dignity at all times.
Community Need Addressed
Since 2021, Minnesota welcomed more than 1,200 Afghan families and is currently welcoming families from Ukraine and other countries around the world. As part of Resettlement Corps, AmeriCorps members support families who are new to the U.S. as they join their new communities and work to achieve housing, employment and education goals.
Position Outcomes
Provide guidance to recently resettled families as they work to secure stable housing in Minnesota.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, Credential or Certification
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment