Full Time Housing Specialist – more than 1 required (union position)

We assist chronically homeless individuals and families in York Region to find and maintain suitable housing. We provide ongoing housing-based case management (CTI-Critical Time Intervention) through telephone and/or home visits. Our Housing Specialists work with landlords to secure housing and connect homeless individuals and families with pre-screened housing options, providing support for housing searches, transportation, viewing, application assistance, housing income support, referrals, landlord tenant act training, eviction prevention, rapid rehousing, and time-limited critical time intervention case management to help people successfully obtain and maintain housing stability.

Program

• Working with clients to secure housing opportunities.
• Provide rapid rehousing support.
• Provide advocacy to maintain suitable housing this could include mediation with landlord.
• Provide time limited housing based Critical Time Intervention (CTI) case management.
• Assist with furnishing of housing using community support and funding.
• Property Maintenance ensure that the client maintains the property standards for cleanliness and garbage removal while ensuring compliance with fire regulations.
• Meet with participants and/or partner agency Case Managers to provide support, guidance and information regarding all available housing options.
• Provide Crisis Intervention.
• Work with clients to develop social and life skills to secure housing and community connections.
• Work with community and clients to reconnect through support and local programs if applicable.

Administration

• Research, compile, and maintain housing options, document acceptance criteria and procedures.
• Provide statistical reports of number of apartment searches, placements, etc.
• Create Housing Map of Pro Housing First Landlords in York Region.
• Create Service Agreements with Landlords and ensure execution of documents.
• Assist clients with any documentation preparation and submissions to include but not limited to Ontario Works, ODSP, any subsidies, and/or any rent geared financial assist applications.
• Update HFIS with case notes.

Financial

• Assist participants with applications for social assistance and liaising with Ontario Works/ODSP/Rent Geared to Income Housing.
• Work with clients on budgeting to ensure they can meet their financial obligations such as rent, food and clothing.
• Assisting with any financial disputes, landlord, other house billings.

Perform other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This is a permanent full-time position based on 80 hours biweekly.
• Hours Monday to Friday with weekends when required.
• Local travel is required.

• Degree in Social Worker or equivalent.
• College diploma in Social Worker field.
• Certifications related to Social Working Field- CPI, Addiction, Mental Health an asset.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Previous experience with homelessness.
• Addiction and mental health experience.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of and a commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression and equity.
• Good knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of the Tenant Protection Act.
• Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License and a current copy of a Driver’s abstract for review and verification that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES:

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Must have good interpersonal/time management skills.
• Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check with vulnerable sector screening.
• Ability and willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

You must advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application