Housing Specialist

**Position Purpose summary**:
Assist chronically homeless individuals and families of York Region to obtaining and maintaining appropriate accommodation and provide ongoing housing based case management (CTI) through telephone and/or home visits.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES**:
**Accountability #1**

**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 participant to provide the most appropriate support/housing options
- Assist Participants with obtaining and maintaining suitable housing & provide advocacy as needed.
- Assist Participant 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 Participant s to ensure they understand and fulfill their responsibilities for property upkeep such as cleanliness, safety issues, and proper garbage disposal.
- Assist Participant s in meeting their financial obligations in regard to rent, 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 Durham Region
- 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
- On an ongoing basis assist participants with social and required life skills to secure and maintain affordable housing (one-on-one or withina group setting)
- Help participants to re-establish themselves in the community
- Landlord mediation
- Crisis intervention
- Provide rapid rehousing support with housed participant as needed.
- Perform any other related duties as requested by Program

**Accountability #2**
- 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 participant ’s confidentiality
- Ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of participant s is maintained within established standards, Policy and Procedure
- 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

**EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS**:

- 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 demanda 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 ofa team
- Must have good interpersonal/time management skills
- Good knowledge of community resources
- Valid Driver’s License is a requirement
- Knowledge ofthe Tenant Protection Act
- Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

**SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES**:

- 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.
- In support of our commitment to a healthy and safe workplace and community, The Salvation Army (TSA) has a vaccination requirement for _**all new employees within the Province of Ontario, Social Services sector**_. _

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $19.43-$29.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

Licence/Certification:

- Class G Licence (required)

Work Location: In person