1. Quickly assist referred families approved to participate in LCDSS HSP housing program to find and secure long-term housing placement with the goal of obtaining permanent housing within 30 days, addressing any issues that may impede access to housing. 2. Meet with approved client families as soon as possible (within five working days after receipt of referral) to assess housing needs and begin housing search. 3. Coach and advise client family on how to identify an appropriate rental within affordable rental limits, what to look for and ask a potential landlord to ensure placement fits the family. 4. Maintain ongoing frequent contact with client families during their housing search to monitor progress in securing permanent housing, providing information and resources based on the client’s goals and preferences that will assist the family to obtain permanent housing, accompany family on their housing search if necessary. 5. Ensure any proposed housing placement meets basic habitability standards by conducting a walk-through of the property prior to placement, identifying any issue with the landlord regarding hazards, non-working appliances and safety, using a checklist tool to be provided by LCDSS. 6. Assist clients to negotiate manageable and appropriate lease agreements with landlords with a duration and rental cost to be approved by LCDSS; ensure lease is appropriate and contains the same rules and provisions as all other renter agreements for similar spaces before the client signs, obtain landlord agreement, copy of lease, W9 and other necessary verifications before move-in date and forward to LCDSS. 7. Ensure services provided are client-directed, respectful of individuals’ right to selfdetermination and are voluntary. 8. Perform outreach activities, connecting with landlords and developing relationships to educate and engage them in LCDSS Housing programs, develop a list of landlords willing or known to collaborate and house families who may lack rental history or credit history. 9. Provide regular updates to LCDSS on client progress in finding/procuring housing. 10. Act as a liaison between landlords and housed clients to address tenancy issues to avoid eviction. 11. Ensure client acts responsibly after move-in by conducting a viewing of the rental at the 3- month and 6-month mark after placement to ensure no issues have developed with the rental and the renter is following good tenant practices, checking with landlords that client rent payments are received timely and no complaints have been received. 12. Provide update to LCDSS in a format to be developed on client progress in finding/procuring housing, providing for data collection and reporting of monthly housing placements & outcomes in a format approved by Lake County Social Services. 13. Meet regularly with LCDSS to provide for ongoing communication and collaboration. 14. Submit monthly invoices based on cost per client negotiated fee as per agreed-upon budget, in an approved format to LCDSS. 15. Participate in the local Lake County Continuum of Care (CoC) community meetings in order to work toward building a system of coordinated entry that may be used in the future to identify and refer clients to LCDSS housing programs. 16. Attend any CDSS recommended trainings regarding Housing Navigation.
