Housing Specialist

Job summary

The Housing Specialist will research and maintain housing options, facilitate housing assessments, and provide case management to help participants secure and maintain stable housing. They will also act as a liaison with landlords, assist with financial obligations, and provide crisis intervention as needed.

Job details

Who We Are For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here. Mission Statement The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Job Description: RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES Pay rate: $25.95 hourly! Program: • Research, compile and maintain housing options; document acceptance criteria and procedures • Liaise with and make regular, ongoing contact with Landlords concerning possible vacancies • 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 • Facilitate housing assessment specific to the participant to provide the most appropriate support/housing options • Assist participants with obtaining and maintaining suitable housing & provide advocacy as needed. • Assist participants to acquire household furnishings when moving into the community and secure Start-up Funds as available or required. • Provide time-limited housing-based Critical Time Intervention (CTI) case management. • Work with Participants to ensure they understand and fulfill their responsibilities for property upkeep such as cleanliness, safety issues, and proper garbage disposal. • Assist participants in meeting their financial obligations in regard to rent and bill payments (budgeting purposes) by defining individual responsibilities; resolving any financial disputes and any other financial responsibilities. • Provide housing support, advocacy, and referrals to chronically homeless participants in York Region • Process applications and documents for participants living in the community • Identify and eliminate fire hazards; for example, bicycles and other items blocking means of egress, unsafe use of open flames like candles, use of stoves and heaters, or unsafe smoking. • Meet with participants and/or partner agency Case Managers to provide guidance and information regarding all available housing options • Assist participants with applications for social assistance and liaising with Ontario Works/ODSP/Rent Geared to Income Housing • On an ongoing basis, assist participants with social and required life skills to secure and maintain affordable housing (one-on-one or within a group setting) • Help participants to re-establish themselves in the community • Landlord mediation • Crisis intervention • Provide rapid rehousing support with housed participants as needed. • Complete additional program-related tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Program Manager/Coordinator • Ability to access reliable transportation; use of a program vehicle when conducting work-related travel and client visits.- must be available to go to meet clients at their locations Administrative Responsibilities • Prepare case notes (intermittently throughout each working day) and share them via HIFIS to relevant individuals involved in the participant’s circle of care while maintaining the participant’s confidentiality • Ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of participants are maintained within established standards, Policies, and Procedures • Work as a member of the team to ensure that the program operates efficiently and effectively (and to ensure that other staff's responsibilities are covered when they are away). • Participate in and represent the organization at external committees & forums. ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor of Social Work preferred • College diploma in Social Sciences field (minimum) • Previous experience with people experiencing chronic homelessness (one to three years) • Knowledge and understanding of Mental Health/Addictions • Thorough knowledge and understanding of and a commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression and equity. • Problem-solving skills essential. The responsibilities associated with this position demand a high degree of confidentiality • Excellent oral and written communication skills (Processing/Desktop, Publishing, Spreadsheet/Graphing, Database computer skills essential) • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team • Must have good interpersonal/time management skills • Good knowledge of community resources • Valid Driver’s License is a requirement • Knowledge of the Tenant Protection Act • 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 vulnerable sector check search. Note: An alternative level of education and experience may be acceptable Compensation: The target hiring range for this position is $25.95 to $25.95 with a maximum of $25.95. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role. The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.

What you’ll do

The Housing Specialist will research and maintain housing options, facilitate housing assessments, and provide case management to help participants secure and maintain stable housing. They will also act as a liaison with landlords, assist with financial obligations, and provide crisis intervention as needed.

Requirements

Candidates should possess at least a college diploma in a Social Sciences field, with a Bachelor of Social Work preferred. Applicants must have one to three years of experience working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and possess a valid driver's license.

Listed skills

• Time management · Preferred
• crisis intervention · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Budgeting · Preferred
• interpersonal skills · Preferred
• Mental Health Support · Preferred
• case management · Preferred
• Data entry · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Case management
• Housing advocacy
• Crisis intervention
• Landlord mediation
• Budgeting
• Social assistance applications
• Mental health support
• Addiction support
• Data entry
• Report writing
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Communication skills
• Community resource knowledge
• Statistical Reporting
• Influencing Skills
• Advocacy
• Valid Driver's License
• Research
• Mental Health
• Case Management
• Medical Records
• Social Work
• Spreadsheets
• Cleanliness
• Communication
• Computer Literacy
• Confidentiality
• Crisis Intervention
• Garbage Disposal Unit
• Problem Solving
• Life Skills Development
• Mediation
• Program Management
• Social Support
• Social Sciences
• Time Management

Job areas

• Social Services
• Administrative
• Government & Public Sector
• Housing Specialist
• Social / Human Services Specialist
• Social Work Associate Professionals
• Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other

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