Housing Navigation, PRC Brief | April 3, 2025

The Power of Showing Up – Jazz Fleming’s Housing Advocacy 

At PRC, we believe that perseverance can change lives. Jazz Fleming, a committed Housing Navigation Specialist, embodies this principle in every way. 

When Jazz met her client, a man on the brink of losing faith that he would ever find stable housing, she saw someone worth fighting for. Her client was nearing the end of his current residential treatment program, and he knew from experience that it wouldn’t be long before he was unhoused again. Jazz learned that to qualify for subsidized housing, he was required to attend coordinated entry meetings for eight consecutive weeks. It was a task that he wasn’t excited to commit to. But Jazz knew how crucial this was. 

So, she showed up for him. 

Jazz Fleming outside of Coordinated Entry in San Francisco

Every Monday at 8:30 AM, Jazz held a place in line for her client, ensuring he wouldn’t lose his shot at stability. Jazz knew that if she saved his spot, he would show up and relieve her. Week after week Jazz stayed long enough to ensure he arrived and would return later to check in and attend the meetings with him. For seven weeks, she stood by him, teaching him to advocate for himself and proving that someone believed in him. 

This was an essential learning process for Jazz as well, as she was new in this role. She understood the value of observing and experiencing the entire housing linkage process to gain insights into the expectations of applicants and factors that could cause them to be denied. Jazz asked questions, established connections, and ultimately found solutions.

In the seventh week, an attendance error nearly cost her client his chance. He was told it was only his fifth appearance, but Jazz was there to correct the record and ease the situation. Because of Jazz, he secured housing that very day. For her client, this was a launching point for a life of stability. For Jazz, this was profound confirmation that her intuition and determination were spot on. She got her first client housed.

Jazz didn’t stop there. She secured donations to furnish the new space, and the essentials needed to turn a room into a home. She continues to check in weekly, ensuring he stays on track. Because for Jazz, housing isn’t just about getting someone off the street—it’s about keeping them housed. She teaches methods to move forward and ways to ensure that old behaviors won’t prevent forward momentum. To Jazz, this is personal, and as a result, her clients frequently desire to make her proud.

Her dedication to helping shape PRC’s Housing Navigation program, begins with the creation of a blueprint for others to follow. She’s proving that showing up, believing in someone, and standing in their corner (or in line for them), can be the difference between homelessness and hope. 

Jazz shared:

“Housing navigation is really about keeping people housed. The folks I work with come through referrals, either internally or from one of our partner orgs and are already on SF Health Plan or Medi-Cal. Once we’re connected, we sit down and really talk—what kind of housing do they want, what’s worked or hasn’t in the past, what income do they have coming in, and what kind of support might help them get where they want to go.

From there, it’s a mix of things—helping them apply for benefits, getting into job training or GED programs, and figuring out what makes the most sense for their goals. Meanwhile, I’m keeping tabs on housing openings, checking waitlists, and advocating to make sure my clients get matched with places that feel right for them—not just anywhere that’s available.

And when someone does get housed, that’s not the end of the road. I stay in touch, help with any bumps along the way, and make sure they’ve got the support to stay stable and keep moving forward. It’s about being consistent, building trust, and showing up—because everyone deserves someone in their corner while they work toward home.”

When asked if she would do it all over again for another client, she didn’t hesitate: “Yes.” 

And she is. For multiple clients. Week after week. 

The world could use more people like Jazz who refuse to let obstacles stand in the way of someone’s chance at stability. 

If you’d like to support PRC’s housing programs and help more people find stability and a place to call home, consider donating today. 

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