Lead Housing Navigator
Akido Labs
Akido is rebuilding the healthcare experience from the ground up. Through early interventions designed around social determinants of health (SDoH), world-class care focused on chronic disease, and human-centered technology, we believe we can build a healthcare model that allows for all patients to live their fullest lives. We are a fast-growing, impact-focused, Y Combinator company created out of the University of Southern California’s D-Health Lab with the idea that empowering government, healthcare, and nonprofit services with population-based data could help usher in a new era of preventive public health. Today we are building a full stack medical network that leverages our predictive capabilities to provide a frictionless experience for both our patients and care providers.
The Opportunity
As a Lead Housing Navigator, you balance a patient caseload focused on CalAIM Housing Supports with hands-on coaching for the Housing Navigator team. You are an experienced Housing Navigator, prioritize quality care, and serve as the role model for other Housing Navigators. You precept new hires, field real-time workflow questions, coach less experienced navigators, and help interview future teammates to keep quality high. Positioned on the front line of housing stability interventions, you also test new tools and processes, channeling practical feedback to leadership so Akido's housing support services keep getting better.
What You Do
- Manage a caseload of patients requiring CalAIM Housing Supports, conducting comprehensive housing assessments and developing individualized housing plans.
Provide hands-on housing search assistance, including identifying available units, coordinating viewings, and supporting patients through the application process. - Engage with landlords, property managers, and housing providers to secure housing placements and negotiate reasonable accommodations when needed.
- Deliver ongoing tenancy support services including move-in assistance, conflict resolution, and housing stability interventions to prevent eviction.
- Coordinate CalAIM housing support services and benefits, ensuring proper authorization and documentation for all housing-related interventions within HMIS.
- Primary preceptor for new hires: host each new Housing Navigator for a few weeks of shadowing during their onboarding; model best practices in housing search, landlord negotiations, tenancy support, and documentation.
- Serve as the go-to resource for less-experienced Housing Navigators—answering real-time questions about workflows (e.g., HMIS data entry, housing deposit processes, reasonable accommodation requests, landlord engagement strategies) and troubleshooting housing barriers.
- Provide "ride-along" coaching sessions and real-time feedback to reinforce trauma-informed, housing-first approaches and effective landlord/property manager communication.
- Serve as early adopters and champions of new housing technologies, referral platforms, and CalAIM housing support workflows. Give feedback to management as part of the implementation process.
- Participate in onsite interviews for Housing Navigator candidates whenever logistically feasible; assess cultural fit, field readiness, and problem-solving skills specific to housing challenges.
- Other duties as assigned.
Who You Are
- You bring competence and hands-on experience with CalAIM Housing Supports or similar housing navigation programs serving complex populations and can translate that expertise into clear, practical guidance for others. You have 2+ years of experience performing Housing Navigation services in Kern County.
- You live Akido's core values of teamwork, respect, and empathy in every interaction - whether you're with a patient, a landlord, a colleague, or a community partner.
- You are a supporting coach and empowering guide. You uplift your teammates, deliver constructive feedback, and help them grow into better housing advocates and service providers.
- You are excited to try new ideas to improve housing outcomes and program effectiveness.
- You have demonstrated experience working with landlords, property managers, and housing providers to secure and maintain stable housing for vulnerable populations.
- You understand fair housing laws, reasonable accommodations, and tenant rights advocacy.
Compensation: $30/hr.
Akido Labs, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage qualified applicants of every background, ability, and life experience to contact us about appropriate employment opportunities.