Competition: (2024-275-HHS) Housing Support Worker

Employment Type: Contract Salary (Until 8/1/2025), Bargaining Unit (1 Vacancy)

Work Hours: 35 hours/week Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM

Work Setting: Hybrid - Opportunity to work remotely after orientation & training period

Salary: G - $54,119.40

Application Deadline: July 17th, 2024, by 11:59 pm

Program Overview – Homelessness & Housing Help, Housing & Homelessness Services

The program’s goal is to support participants to increase their independent living skills within a variety of housing options, including program clients living in private rental housing. Within a client-first or centric approach the following services are provided: behaviour modeling, crisis intervention, informal counselling, mediation with landlords and other tenants, referrals to appropriate community support services, assistance with maintaining access to rent supplement and income supports and moving/retaining suitable independent housing.

What You Will Do

• Individual Support

• Utilizing an individually based approach to providing supports, the Housing Worker will provide ongoing support to former Tent City participants that assist them in obtaining and maintaining their housing and connect them to a variety of community resources, through home visits, drop-in services, accompaniment to community resources, and scheduled appointments.

• Respond and provide referral support during crisis situations to WoodGreen Housing clients and other programs including Emergency Homelessness programs such as Tent City etc.

• Engage in Tenant/Landlord Mediation preventing evictions and relocations, whenever possible for assigned Tent City participant caseload.

• Work with participants to enhance their capacity to access community resources, including housing and support services, and develop effective problem-solving strategies.

• Facilitate Community and Program Linkages

• Actively take part in each Program Steering and Services Committee, noting any policy recommendations, identifying issues, and providing program updates.

• Ensure ongoing collaboration with internal WoodGreen units so that client(s) are connected to the organization’s integrated service model of employment, community health and social/community program services.

• Develop and maintain working relationships with partnering agencies, including but not limited to City of Toronto, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program, other Housing Help Services, and community resources.

• Ensure that client participants maintain their eligibility for rent geared to income including rent supplements and/or other housing programs.

• Liaise with Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, and other community resources to ensure that participants have access to and maintain the eligibility for income supports.

• Develop and implement strategies with participants so they enhance their skills to access other community resources, supports, and housing options, working toward long-term independence.

• Communicate program policies, procedures, and guidelines to participants.

• Program Development

• Ensure proper documentation, including the taking of client service notes, maintaining various lists including a case list, and tracking budget

• related information.

• Complete and assist tenants with annual RGI reviews, within assigned CCU and supportive housing buildings.

• Gather program statistics and narrative reports, which identify program trends and issues.

• Work with participants to improve their access to community resources, including within Ontario Work, Ontario Disability Support Program, and Housing Connections, and develop new initiatives, which promote greater access to community services and resources.

• Keep organized records and files, keeping the Manager of Housing Access updated and informed of various systems that are developed or changed.

• Participate in a program evaluation, identifying challenges and successes, and program delivery issues.

• Other

• Work collaboratively with the other housing support workers, as well as other Unit staff.

• Actively participate in team meetings.

• Take part in upgrading training and education as directed by WoodGreen community Centre to fulfill the responsibilities of the job.

• Participate in supervisory sessions with the Manager of Homelessness and Housing Help.

• Perform other related duties as required by the Manager of Housing Access, Partnerships & Tenant Supports.

• Ensure the anti-racism objectives and community development principles of the organization are achieved through the Project.

  What You Bring to the Team

• BSW or related Bachelor degree

• 2 years or more of direct experience in helping street-involved/homeless individuals, and those at risk of losing their housing, to obtain and maintain their housing.

• Proven skills in providing housing help and /or information referral services.

  What Will Set You Apart

• Working knowledge of the Tenant Protection Act and Residential Tenancy Act.

• Strong intake, assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, advocacy and negotiation skills.

• Experience working with homeless/street involved individuals, tenants, individual's with substance use and landlords.

• Strong landlord/tenant mediation skills.

• Excellent case management skills.

• Supportive counseling and harm reduction skills.

• Experience working with diverse communities.

• Knowledge of resources in Toronto.

WoodGreen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our People & Culture representatives at careers@woodgreen.org of the accommodation measures required. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

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