Housing Support Worker

**Overview**:
Establishes and maintains relationships with women and trans people experiencing persistent homelessness and who have significant mental health issues, and/or addictions and/or trauma and provides intensive support to promote a stable shelter stay. Assesses housing needs and supports ensures completion of all necessary documentation. As appropriate may help clients develop and implement housing plans, assist with housing search related activities, and provide community accompaniment and housing system navigation to support their transition to housing stability.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Assesses the immediate short-term and long-term needs for housing placement, financial assistance and referrals to services and supports for clients with high acuity to address issues creating barriers to becoming housing ready.
- Identify people experiencing homelessness with a High SPDAT score who are not yet on the PATHS list for supportive housing or for STEP Home Supports.
- Engage with and support those identified with high acuity and not yet on PATHS list to get “document ready”, to complete the Housing Needs and Preferences Form and PATHS Addition Form.
- Support clients with high acuity and risky behaviours to create a stable, positive shelter stay enabling them to engage more intentionally in a housing plan.
- Supports front line staff to support clients with high acuity through the creation of case plans, as needed.
- Aids in the development and implementation of action plans to facilitate the transition from emergency to transitional and/or permanent housing.
- Advocates for and provides support to individuals in their housing search related activities including scheduling of and accompaniment to appointments.
- Works in partnership with both the private and non-profit sector of the housing market to ensure appropriate placement of individuals. Works in collaboration with Lutherwood to conduct visits and checks properties for safety and screens potential landlords for private registry.
- Coordinates with partner agencies to arrange for insurance, utilities telephone and cable services, and assists and supports individuals in accessing household goods and furniture needed to establish a home.
- Provides “bridging” and “follow-up” actions to individuals as they connect with mainstream services to support them in maintaining their housing.
- Establishes and maintains participant case files and ensures completion of all documentation and data entry into HIFIS and SPDAT to assist with accurate statistical collection.
- Adheres to regulations and requirements of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Family and Children’s Services, Correctional Services Canada, the Residential Tenancy Act, other relevant legislation and regulations, and YW Kitchener-Waterloo policies and procedures.
- Ensures that the safety standards, policies and procedures are followed for the staff and residents (eg. YW’s Occupational Health and Safety Policies and Procedures, etc.)
- Works as part of a team, and participates in outreach networking, supervision, training/continuing education, program planning and consultation as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as reasonably requested.

**Skills, Qualifications, & Requirements**:

- Conceptual and theoretical knowledge of mental health issues, violence against women, women in conflict with the law, youth and adolescents, crisis and suicide intervention, addictions, life-skills training, counseling techniques and group dynamics normally acquired through the attainment of an Undergraduate Degree in social work or equivalent human services education and a minimum of three years’ experience in non-profit, social service and/or health agencies providing case management to individuals with mental health issues and/or addictions and/or trauma.
- Proven skills in support, counseling, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and suicide prevention and de-escalation skills.
- Ability to assess the needs of residents and to work directly with individuals and families who experience a variety of challenges.
- Knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act.
- Understanding of current housing market and trends, vacancy rates and renal amounts.
- Proficiency in the use of a personal computer and relevant software.
- Ability to participate as an effective team member and to support Emergency Shelter values, mission and a woman-centered approach compatible with the organization.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and human relations skills to: communicate effectively with residents, staff, community organizations, criminal justice and medical systems, the public, etc.; to complete records for intake, referrals and ongoing services as required; to concisely record behavioural observations, intake data and services provided; and, to establish and maintain appropriate communication links with community agencies.
- Valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C and up-to-date Vulne