Housing Counsellor

**Duties**:

- Conducts housing search in and outside of Toronto for newcomer individuals and families.
- If needed escorts clients to housing appointments and advocates on their behalf.
- Secures appropriate and affordable housing for clients.
- Provides support to clients in negotiating and finalizing housing leases.
- Recruits housing providers and maintains a housing data bank/registry of housing providers.
- Provides crisis support and intervention as required.
- Mentoring volunteers to assist with housing search and escorting of clients.
- Conducts housing orientation sessions to ensure that client understands rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.
- Liaises and consults with other professionals and organizations.
- Refers clients to community & social service agencies for additional support.
- Keep administrative records of services and activities, prepare necessary reports and input data using COSTI and HiFis databases.
- Perform other duties as required.

**Qualifications**:

- Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent with relevant practicum experience.
- Minimum of one (1) year full time experience providing housing services to refugee claimants and newcomers.
- Demonstrated experience providing services to families, refugee claimants, and newcomers.
- **The ability to speak a second language is an asset. Preference will be given to those who speak Arabic, French, or Luganda**:

- Minimum 9 months case management experience
- Experience working with landlords and knowledge of various supportive housing programs
- Knowledge of specific issues facing people fleeing war
- Knowledge of settlement and housing related services and resources, with an emphasis on the services and resources that exist within York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
- Demonstrated experience in data-entry, documentation and reporting.
- Excellent communication, organization and coordination skills.
- Possession of a valid First Aid/CPR training certificate is required.
- Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the last 6 months.
- Must be able to travel within the GTA to multiple locations using public transportation. Access to a vehicle is considered an asset.
- Must be fully vaccinated or be exempt from vaccination on human rights grounds. COSTI reserves the right to require information establishing the validity of the exemption.

**Location**:

- Highway 7 and 404 (Markham)

**Duration of Position**:

- December 16, 2024 to June 30, 2025

**Starting Salary Range**:

- $29.56 to $30.99 per hour

**Posting Date**:

- 2024-11-29

**Closing Date**:

- 2024-12-12

**Notes**:

- Priority consideration will be given to those on Notice of Recall.