Community Housing Navigator Location: East Tennessee (Knox County)

Salary: $4,017 - $6,039 (Monthly) / $48,204 - $72,468 (Annually)

Job Description

The Department of Disability and Aging (“DDA”) is seeking a Community Housing Navigator to support the Program Innovation division. This highly motivated individual will require a combination of strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with staff, stakeholders, constituents, and persons supported.

This individual will support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and older adults to find safe, affordable, and accessible housing opportunities in community-integrated settings. The Community Housing Navigator will work directly with individuals and their circles of support.

Relationship building and strategic planning are key areas of this role, as well as, a strong willingness to serve people. A bachelor’s degree or 2-5 years of relevant work experience is required. This position is based in Knox County and is a combination of in-office and remote work.

Key Responsibilities

  • Discuss and develop goals related to housing in community-integrated settings.
  • Conduct housing needs assessments.
  • Evaluate and address transition and accessibility barriers.
  • Assist with roommate matching, shared housing solutions, and moves between homes.
  • Coordinate referrals to other DDA programs (e.g. employment benefits counseling, Enabling Technology, MAPs, etc.)
  • Coordinate referrals to other state programs (e.g. legal aid, Center for Independent Living, etc.)
  • Create, modify, and share tools and resources related to community-integrated housing.
  • Participate in regional housing discussions and workgroups at the discretion of the Director of Housing Innovation.
  • Collect and track key data points related to resources and assistance provided to individuals.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree or 2-5 years of relevant work experience.
  • Experience working with people with I/DD and/or older adults.
  • Experience in federal, state, or local housing programs or other related field.

About DDA

The Department of Disability & Aging is the state agency responsible for providing services and support to more than 1.5 million Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to older Tennesseans. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this is done through programs such as, but not limited to, the home and community-based waiver programs, Tennessee Early Intervention System (“TEIS”), Katie Beckett Program, Medicaid Alternative Pathways (“MAPs”) Program, and Family Support Program. For older adults, some of those programs include CHOICES, State Health Insurance Assistance program (“SHIP”), home and community-based programs, nutrition services, caregiver support, transportation assistance, and public guardianship.

The department supports people to live the lives they envision for themselves by ensuring people are free to exercise rights, engage with their broader communities and experience optimal health. DDA is the first state service delivery system in the nation to receive Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation from the Council on Quality and Leadership. It has also been recognized as a national leader in its efforts to increase competitive, community-based employment outcomes for people with disabilities and its commitment to enhancing independence through Enabling Technology.

Interested candidates should apply at https://www.tn.gov/careers/apply-here.html. 

Pursuant to the State of TN’s policy of non-discrimination, the State of Tennessee does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military services in its policies, or in the admission of, access to, treatment, or employment in its programs, services, or activities.