Housing specialist Jobs in Portland, OR

Job Description

Job Description

Housing Navigator - Family Shelter - Temporary

Program : Family Emergency Motel Voucher Program

Location : Tigard Office (Hybrid – community-based with field work)

Schedule : Full-Time (Temporary / Grant-Funded through June 30, 2026)

Reports to : Program Manager

Position Summary

Just Compassion is seeking a Housing Navigator - Family Shelter (Housing Navigator) to support families experiencing homelessness through the Family Emergency Motel Voucher Program, a short-term, bridge-to-shelter initiative funded through the Homelessness Response and Action Plan (HRAP).

This position plays a critical role in ensuring families experiencing unsheltered homelessness, domestic violence, or other immediate safety concerns have access to temporary emergency motel stays while awaiting placement into year-round shelter. The Housing Navigator will work closely with families, internal teams, and system partners to coordinate motel stays, provide stabilization support, and ensure smooth transitions into shelter when units become available.

This role is ideal for someone who is highly organized, compassionate, and comfortable navigating fast-paced, crisis-oriented environments while maintaining strong documentation and coordination practices.

Program Overview

The Family Emergency Motel Voucher Program provides short-term motel placements for families currently enrolled in the Family Shelter Waitlist (FSWL) who are experiencing immediate safety risks. Motel stays serve as a temporary bridge to shelter, not long-term housing. The position is temporary and grant-funded, supporting the Family Emergency Motel Voucher Program, which operates from January through June 2026 as part of the broader Homeless Family System of Care (HFSC). This position is expected to run through the end of the program period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon continued funding and program needs. The role supports families transitioning from shelter or temporary motel placements into stable, permanent housing and plays a critical role in advancing system-wide housing stability efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Family Engagement & Navigation

• Collaborate with the existing Family Shelter Waitlist Navigator to ensure smooth and equitable access to motel placements.
• Contact families on the FSWL to assess eligibility, interest, and readiness for motel placement.
• Support families through motel check-in and clearly communicate program expectations, timelines, and available supports.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for families during their motel stay.
• Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive support aligned with Housing First and low-barrier principles.

Coordination & Transitions

Client Assistance & Resource Support

Program Coordination & Documentation

Professional Responsibilities

Qualifications

Required

Preferred

Additional Requirements

Benefits

Just Compassion of East Washington County is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees and applicants for employment. This policy prohibits discrimination on all legally recognized bases including, but not limited to, race, creed, color, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, national origin or service in the uniformed services.

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