Newcomer Housing Specialist

Job Title Newcomer Housing Specialist

Department Housing Services

Location All JHS Offices and Durham Community

Posting End Date September 12, 2024, at 4:00pm

Employment Group CUPE 2938.13 (Full Time)

Salary Grid Rate $23.32 per hour

Standard Weekly Hours of Work 35 - 8am to 4pm

Shift Work Required Flex hours occasionally required

Work Environment All JHS Durham Office Locations and Community where required

Additional Benefits Extended Health, Dental, Life, LTD, EAP, mileage reimbursement, accident coverage, RRSP

Start Date As soon as possible

**John Howard Society of Durham Region Mission Statement**:

- To reduce the impact of crime and its causes by providing a spectrum of effective prevention and intervention programs._

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Position Summary:_**

The Newcomer Housing Specialist (NHS) is a pivotal role within the John Howard Society of Durham Region, designed to address the unique housing needs of newcomer immigrants in Durham Region. This role focuses on overcoming barriers such as language and cultural differences, limited knowledge of housing rights, and challenges in accessing support services. By providing specialized support, educating clients on their tenant rights, and facilitating access to essential services, the NHS ensures housing stability in Whitby, Oshawa, and Clarington.

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Key Responsibilities:_**
- **Case Management for Newcomers**:
Assess, plan, and implement tailored case management strategies to guide newcomers towards successful tenancy. For example, assisting newly arrived refugee families in understanding their lease agreements and navigating landlord-tenant negotiations.
- **Outreach and Engagement**:
Conduct targeted outreach initiatives to identify and engage newcomers in need of housing support. Utilize various platforms and community networks to maximize reach and impact, ensuring no newcomer is left without access to essential services.
- **Education and Advocacy**:
Empower newcomers by educating them on their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancy Act and other relevant housing regulations. Advocate for their rights within the housing market and provide guidance on addressing issues such as discrimination or unfair treatment.
- **Specialized Support**:
Offer personalized assistance to address the specific challenges faced by newcomers, including language barrier and cultural nuances in housing. For instance, providing translation services during housing appointments or explaining cultural differences in housing norms.
- **Crisis Intervention and Support**:
Provide timely support for newcomers facing housing crises, offering solutions and referrals to emergency housing resources. This could involve assisting families at risk of eviction by advocating with landlords, connecting them with temporary shelter options, referring to legal services, and providing support at Landlord and Tenant Board hearings.
- **Service Facilitation**:
Act as a liaison between newcomers and housing services, facilitate smooth communication and collaboration between housing providers and other support service agencies to streamline the support process for clients.
- **Community and Partner Collaboration**:
Build and maintain partnerships with local service providers, settlement service centers, faith-based organizations, non-profit groups, the Durham Community Legal Clinic and more to create a robust support network for newcomers. This collaboration ensures that newcomers have access to a comprehensive range of resources, including housing assistance, legal services, and cultural support. By leveraging these partnerships, the NHS enhances the ability of newcomers to achieve housing stability and integrate smoothly into their new community.
- **Accessibility Enhancement**:
Work closely with existing agencies to extend housing support services to underserved areas of the region, ensuring equitable access for all newcomers. Identify gaps in service provision and advocate for the expansion of resources to meet the needs of newcomers in communities.
- **Monitoring and Evaluation**:
Participate in the continuous evaluation of the program's effectiveness, incorporating client feedback and outcome measurements to inform service adjustments and improvements. Regularly assess the impact of interventions and make data-driven decisions to optimize service delivery.

**_ Requirements:_**
- College diploma or higher in a related field (i.e. Social Services).
- Experience working in multicultural settings, with immigrants, refugees, or in a similar capacity. Personal and/or professional understanding of the immigration system and the challenges faced by newcomers.
- Minimum Class G licence and access to insured vehicle (with compensation).

**Skills and Attributes**:

- Familiarity with the local housing market, affordable housing options, housing rights, and community resources that support newcomer integration.
- Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and understanding, with the abilit