Job Description

JOB TITLE: Housing Navigation Specialist
EMPLOYMENT TYPE:  Full-Time
REPORTS TO: Director of Community Health and Well-being
LOCATION: Hybrid – 3-4 days in-office (Downtown Brooklyn)
SALARY: $65,000/annually

For over 30 years, the Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) has proudly served immigrant, refugee, and marginalized communities across New York. Community is at the heart of AAFSC's work; we help families navigate government benefits, learn English, prepare for the citizenship exam, secure affordable housing, and access mental health counseling. We're also here to strengthen family bonds through parenting workshops and help young people succeed in school with academic support, social activities, and a safe space to share their experiences. We build brighter futures, one family, one story, and one community at a time. 

JOB SUMMARY:  

The Housing Navigation Specialist must be familiar with the NYC service landscape, including housing and public assistance, and empowerment services such as homelessness prevention and workforce development. A successful person in this position has strong administrative and management skills including strategic planning, resource allocation, and coordination of programming & service delivery to meet participant/client needs and program expectations. He or she will be organized, have high attention to detail and will have the capacity to thrive under pressure while working on multiple projects. A commitment to immigrant, refugee and low-income communities is essential for success in this role.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Housing Navigation & Client Support

• Assist families and individuals in securing permanent housing or preventing homelessness. 
• Manage a diverse caseload, conduct outreach to at-risk families, and assess client eligibility for programs. 
• Develop action plans for long-term housing stability and provide guidance on housing voucher applications (e.g., FHEPS, Section 8). 
• Support clients with public assistance enrollment and accessing emergency benefits to prevent evictions. 

Client Advocacy & Housing Stability

• Advocate with landlords, housing authorities, and service providers to ensure access to resources. 
• Educate clients on their rights and responsibilities during the housing process. 
• Refer clients to appropriate services for eviction prevention, apartment searches, and legal aid. 
• Assist clients in applying for public assistance programs, including those required for housing voucher eligibility. 

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate client records and ensure timely data entry in compliance with AAFSC and contractual requirements.
• Track client progress, report outcomes, and ensure all required documentation is completed on time. 

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Build relationships with community organizations, employers, and stakeholders to enhance program support.
• Represent the program in meetings with funders, community groups, and participants. 
• Conduct targeted outreach to identify and engage individuals and families experiencing housing instability or homelessness. 
• ​​​​​​​Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, shelters, hospitals, and other service providers to connect clients with available housing resources. 

Program Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and city regulations for program delivery.
• Utilize best practices to address client needs and manage program objectives effectively.
• ​​​​​​​Plan and prioritize tasks to meet program goals and communicate frequently with relevant details. 

Grant & Contract Management

• Align program objectives with funder expectations and identify opportunities for improvement. 
• ​​​​​​​Collaborate with the Development & Communications team to prepare proposals and reports. 

General Responsibilities 

• Participate in internal and external meetings, trainings, and events. 
• Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational goals. 

Other duties and responsibilities

• Participate in AAFSC meetings, trainings, and events.  
  Perform other duties assigned as necessary.  
  Attend external meetings and trainings as scheduled.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in creating, implementing, and measuring effectiveness of programs preferred. 
• ​​​​​​​High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with immigrant, refugee and low-income communities preferred.  
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills are required.  
• Strong technology skills, including using Microsoft Office products as well as navigating and using government and internal databases.  
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to manage crises, attend events, or meetings.  
• Job contingent on pre-employment background check.  
• U.S. Work Authorization is required.  

We are an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  

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