Housing Intervention Worker

**Job Summary**

Under the direction of the Site Supervisor(s), assisting with the effective and efficient implementation of the City of Windsor’s Homelessness and Housing Help Hub Program within established program requirements and agency policies.

The Housing Intervention Worker is responsible to work collaboratively to stabilize participants in Windsor Essex who are in housing crises by utilizing community resources. The HIW provides time-limited case management for individuals, youth, and families with or without children that are currently living outdoors, in shelter, motel, transitional housing, or those who are most at risk of entering the shelter system to help them secure and/or maintain or re-establish housing stability in the community; through referrals from community partners, walk-ins, and other collaborative partnerships.
The HIW is responsible for developing individualized housing plans which include consideration of all housing options as alternatives to entering the emergency shelters; making appropriate referrals to mental health, addiction, justice, health care, or other relevant supports as identified to maintaining housing stability.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include**:
**Housing Intervention Case Management and Planning**:

- Provide holistic case management supports to participants experiencing homelessness with the goal of obtaining and sustaining housing.
- Develop individualized housing plans which include consideration of all housing options as alternatives to entering the emergency shelters.
- Complete referrals and updates to the By-Name Priority List (BNPL) using the VI-SPDAT to assess and triage participants experiencing homelessness, as needed.

**Community Coordination and Advocacy**:

- Co-ordinate with and warm transfer to local community services and supports as needed to obtain and/or stabilize housing.
- Work closely with team members and community partners to identify barriers to securing housing and develop strategies to overcome.
- Educate prospective tenants on tenant and landlord rights and obligations to foster successful tenancies.

**Maintaining Documentation and Metrics**:

- Utilize Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) and SharePoint to maintain strict confidentiality and timely updates to participant records, documents, and case notes.
- Track key metrics as required using appropriate databases and systems.
- Manage and assess caseload capacity on a regular basis.

**Program Operations and Activities**:

- Assist with day-to-day operations of the program including break coverage, sorting donations, and sanitizing high touch areas.
- Responding collaboratively with the on-site staff to emergency situations such as medical incidents or altercations.
- Completing other duties as required.

**Education & Skills**
Post-secondary education completed at an Accredited Canadian University with a minimum of Bachelor Degree in Social Work or Social Science, or relevant College Diploma preferred _OR_ 1-2 years of recent and relevant experience working with vulnerable / low-income / marginalized individuals.

**Work Experience**
Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team environment while in a fast-paced setting; preferably with experience supporting vulnerable individuals with varied emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties.

Experience / knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Software, Internet, and standard office equipment is _required_.

**Knowledge**
Experience and knowledge working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or other vulnerable / marginalized populations from a person-centered perspective.

Recent and relevant working knowledge of the local Emergency Shelter system, Social Services, Community Agencies in Windsor-Essex preferred.

Ability to speak other languages an asset.

**Certifications and Other Requirements**
Criminal Reference and Vulnerable Sector Checks required. Updated CPR and First Aid Certification required.

Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Mental Health First Aid, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certification an asset.

Must have reliable and effective mode of transportation.

**Work Related Abilities**
- **Policies and Procedures**:_ Adheres to all organization policies and procedures and make recommendations where applicable. Able to relate to routine operations in a manner that is consistent with existing solutions to problems; log work activities.
- **Handle Multiple Tasks / Requests**:_ Able to deal with frequent change, delays, multiple requests (phone and in-person), high volume of requests, while addressing written tasks, unexpected events etc.
- **Spoken and Written Communications**:_ Able to clearly present information verbally in person and over the phone; in writing and to document activities; to read and interpret written information; comprehend information delivered orally.
- **Professional Engagement**:_ Able to communicate