Housing Support Worker

**Employment Opportunity**: Housing Support Worker (HSW)

**Location**: Halifax, NS

**Salary Range**: $56, 000/ per year

**Employment Term**: Contract Hire Date - March 31, 2026 (possibility of renewal), Full time hours (35 hours/ week)

**Reports To**: Housing Program Manager

**General Description**:
The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is centrally located in the urban Indigenous community of Halifax and is looking for **(Two) Housing Support Workers (HSW)**. The HSW will be responsible for supporting unhoused Indigenous clients who have a history of chronic homelessness to obtain and maintain secure housing. The HSW will need to have experience supporting Indigenous service users with complex needs that can impact their access to housing. This can include but is not limited to supporting folks with their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

The HSW must have experience with navigating resources related to safer substance use services, harm reduction resources, Income Assistance processes, and affordable housing organizations. As part of the MNFC Housing team, the HSW must incorporate an Indigenous trauma informed approach into their practice and uphold the principles of Housing First. The HSW is expected to have a connection to the Indigenous community and work from a client-centred Indigenous lens.

**Key Accountabilities**
- Ensure the program delivery is congruent with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s mission, vision and philosophy
- Participate in agency responsibilities including but not limited to; team meetings, representing the agency at community meetings, attend case conferences, maintain safety and monitoring, training and committees.
- Develop with the individual a recovery plan that is strength based and grounded in the principles of Housing First, Harm Reduction and monitor individual progress towards their goals
- Provide daily or weekly support to individuals in their home and community to ensure housing stability
- Locate housing for individuals exiting homelessness, as much as possible meeting their individual requirements
- Support clients to navigate appropriate systems related to obtaining and maintaining housing
- Support clients with bail release plans and have an understanding of court processes
- Keep up to date accurate case files, client interactions, records of progress on each client, input and maintain the HIFIS / Reaching Home /MNFC’s database. Documentation must be in accordance with the agency standards and adhere to funder requirements
- Submit new client to and update the By-Name-List
- Attend lease signings with clients
- Ensure clients are fully informed of all programs of the MNFC and appropriate referral and consent process
- Transport clients to medical appointments and housing related meetings
- Maintain a clear understanding of the HSW eligibility criteria and referral process
- Advocate for client’s rights at an individual and broader systemic level
- Assist clients with obtaining items they need with first moving into housing (to include managing purchases and reimbursements as per our finance policy requirements)
- Provide intake, assessment and referral services, assistance in accessing resources, crisis intervention and eviction prevention services, outreach mediation for clients
- Work in partnership with both private and non-profit sector of the housing market to ensure appropriate placement for clients
- Connect clients to community resources, supports and meaningful activities as required
- Liaise and develop relationships with landlords and property managers within HRM
- Monitor and support participants housing stability and be available for crisis.
- Maintain confidentiality, privacy and clear boundaries
- Compile statistics and data that will assist with the outcomes and evaluation of this housing initiative
- Commit to the development of the MNFC and participate in internal committees, projects and activities
- Assist in program and service development to ensure that quality, effective and client-centred programs and services are delivered
- Work collaboratively with all team members and partnering agencies to achieve excellent service and outcomes
- Adhere to all policies governing the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

**Qualifications and Experience Required for the Position**:

- Knowledge of the Mi’kmaw Communities, Mi’kmaw Organizations and an understanding of Colonized impacts is an asset
- Comprehensive understanding of Indigenous women’s, trans gendered issues, poverty, homelessness and their root causes
- Diploma / certification in community social services; or education in mental health, addictions, concurrent disorders/ co-occurring disorders and social work.
- Two years of recent, related work experience with an emphasis on mental health, substance use disorders, homelessness and/ or social services.
- Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Demonstrated understanding of Housing First an