Housing Support Worker

**About Welcome Housing**:
Welcome Housing provides an innovative approach to supporting individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness who face significant challenges in obtaining and maintaining housing stability. Funded by the Department of Community Services through Housing Nova Scotia, the program focuses on promoting housing retention, improving health outcomes, and enhancing social functioning for those who experience housing instability.

**Position Summary**:
The Housing Support Worker will play a critical role in supporting individuals facing barriers to stable housing. Reporting to the Housing Manager (or appointee), the Housing Support Worker will collaborate with the Welcome Housing Help team to provide comprehensive support to clients, including assistance with finding housing, maintaining housing stability, and accessing community resources.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**Client Support**:

- Provide housing support to individuals experiencing barriers such as addiction, mental health issues, physical disabilities, or past involvement with corrections.
- Offer follow-up support to ensure housing stability and promote self-sufficiency.
- Advocate for clients in securing funding for moves and setting up essential services (e.g., utilities).
- Deliver life skills coaching and connect clients to support services that reduce the risk of homelessness and eviction.

**Housing Stability**:

- Work with tenants and landlords to prevent evictions and maintain current housing.
- Refer high-acuity clients to the Welcome Housing Help Intensive Case Manager when appropriate.

**Case Management**:

- Create and maintain accurate client case files and notes.
- Use HIFIS and other software tools to track and report client progress.
- Participate in weekly case conferences with the team to assess and coordinate client needs.
- Provide monthly updates to the Manager if Housing Support and Senior Leadership.

**Qualifications**:

- Education and/or experience in health education/promotion, human services, social work, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of the determinants of health and systemic barriers affecting housing stability.
- Knowledge of homelessness, poverty, harm reduction, mental health and addiction resources, and community development practices.
- Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to support at-risk individuals in overcoming barriers to safe and affordable housing.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- In depth understanding of coordinated access and the BNL
- Proficiency in computer skills, including HIFIS software and report writing.
- Access to a reliable vehicle

**Schedule**:

- 8-hour shifts, Monday to Friday with flexibility to pivot with the business needs.

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Vision care

**How to Apply**:
If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing housing instability and meet the qualifications outlined above, we encourage you to apply.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $51,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

- Overtime pay

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Flexible language requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

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

Application question(s):

- Ability to get and pass an updated criminal record/venerable persons check

**Education**:

- Secondary School (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- First Aid Certification (required)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-01-06