Temporary Follow-up Housing Worker

**FOLLOW-UP HOUSING WORKER**
**Albion Neighbourhood Services**

**Temporary Contract Position**
**(Unionized)**

**Job Posting**:Follow-Up Housing Worker
**Contract Start Date**:July 2025

**Position Summary**:
The Follow-Up Support Worker plays a vital role in facilitating the transition of individuals and families from homelessness to stable housing. This position provides mobile, client-centered case management, ensuring that newly housed individuals receive tailored support based on their unique needs and strengths.
Operating within a Housing First approach, the Follow-Up Support Worker meets clients in their homes and other community spaces, delivering responsive assistance designed to promote long-term housing stability and independent living. The level of service is categorized as low, medium, or high, determined by each client’s support needs to ensure a seamless adjustment to permanent housing.
A core responsibility of this role is connecting clients to community-based resources, services, and supports that foster independence and sustainability in their living situation. By linking clients to essential programs and networks, the Follow-Up Support Worker helps strengthen their ability to maintain housing success and overall well-being.

**Reports to**:
This position reports directly to the Follow Up Program Supervisor.

**Responsibilities**:

- Demonstrate extensive knowledge and experience in housing services, conflict resolution, and mediation strategies.
- Maintain a strong understanding of community resources and referral pathways within the catchment area and across the City of Toronto.
- Deliver responsive, person-centered case management that addresses individual needs and complex challenges.
- Provide non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive services, guided by harm reduction and the Housing First approach.
- Offer mobile, in-person support, including meeting clients in their homes or community spaces, accompanying them to service providers, and helping after hours or on weekends when necessary.
- Manage new referrals from the Follow-Up Program Team Lead/Supervisor, ensuring case transfers are initiated within 10 business days.
- Participate in meetings and case conferences, including monthly case conferences established by the City of Toronto and Coordinated Access Team.
- Facilitate client-directed, goal-oriented service planning, fostering independence, integrating appropriate referrals, and implementing comprehensive discharge processes when required.
- Advocate on behalf of clients with landlords, Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and other service providers.
- Provide life skills training, covering landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting, housekeeping, and pet care.
- Maintain a caseload with individualized, flexible case management, grounded in the Housing First approach.
- Support clients in identifying and achieving personal goals related to housing, income support, substance use, physical and mental health, food security, and other defined service needs.
- Guide clients in community integration, empowering them to leverage local resources and services for enhanced independence.
- Offer structured referrals to financial aid programs, including Rent Bank, utility assistance, legal services, and Toronto Employment and Social Services offices.
- Conduct follow-up meetings in community spaces, reviewing progress, adjusting action plans, and addressing emerging challenges.
- Provide harm reduction counseling, identifying strategies to minimize the impact of substance use on tenancy stability.
- Accompany clients to appointments, including Landlord and Tenant Board hearings, ensuring adequate representation and advocacy.
- Assist clients with community mapping, crisis planning, and discharge planning to facilitate smooth transitions.
- Enhance access to services within Rexdale Community Hub, collaborating with agency partners and program staff.
- Secure comprehensive service linkages, including income tax clinics, medical facilities, drop-in centers, food banks, and other essential community providers.
- Strengthening relationships with housing providers, offering mediation and problem-solving to address tenancy concerns.
- Maintain accurate case management records, fulfilling all statistical and qualitative reporting requirements as directed by funders and supervisors.

**Qualifications**:

- Degree or diploma in Social Work or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 3 years' experience providing intensive case management services to clients experiencing homelessness or the risk of homelessness.
- Comprehensive knowledge of housing, health, trauma, substance use, financial, and legal issues affecting clients.
- Strong understanding of market rent and subsidized housing systems, including relevant policies, emerging trends, and the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
- Ability to wor