Eviction Prevention in The Community

_**The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) is a multi-service agency that includes Central Neighbourhood House, Neighbourhood Link Support Services and St. Stephen’s Community House**_

**POSITION TITLE**: Eviction Prevention in the Community (EPIC) Worker

**DEPARTMENT**: Urban Health and Homelessness Services

**STATUS**: Regular Full-Time, CUPE 2289

**# HRS / WEEK**: 35

**CONTRACT DATES**: n/a

**REPORT TO**: Manager, PAID and Housing Services

**HOURLY RATE**: $27.55

**GENERAL DESCRIPTION**: The Corner Drop-In serves individuals who are low-income, socially isolated, homeless and hard to house. Our inter-disciplinary team provides resources, counseling and referrals that assist with long term solutions to individuals’ housing, health and financial needs. We specialize in mental health and harm reduction services.

The position provides mobile, rapid eviction prevention services to vulnerable households across greater Toronto as referred by the City’s Central Referral Centre. The EPIC worker provides assessments, referrals, creates a client centered action plan and provides other supports as needed. In consultation with the EPIC team, the EPIC worker will liaise with landlords, coordinate mediation and conflict resolution as appropriate.

If an eviction is prevented, the EPIC worker will provide short-term housing stabilization supports. In the event an eviction occurs, the EPIC worker will work with the Housing Help program to re-house and stabilize the clients in their new home. This position works as part of the Corner Drop-in inter-disciplinary team and works to provide an enriched drop-in service for homeless and socially isolated adults. This position reports to the Manager, PAID and Housing Services and is part of CUPE 2289.

**MAJOR DUTIES**:

- Work with households requiring eviction prevention support to maintain housing through assessment, referral, mediation coordination, education and planning.
- Accept 30 referrals annually from the Central Referral Centre of Toronto and provide rapid eviction prevention support
- Create client centred, individualized action plans with clear steps to intervene in the eviction
- Provide a maximum of three months support to tenant and landlord following a successful eviction prevention or re-housing.
- Act as a resource person for the agency in the area of eviction prevention and participate in the agency Eviction Prevention Working Group and project Advisory committee.
- Provide education on landlord and tenant rights, coordinate mediation services and provide referrals to legal services and financial resources.
- Provide information, referrals and advocacy in the following areas: income, shelter, food, clothing, health and personal needs.
- Work with other team members to provide an enriched drop-in program while maintaining appropriate infection prevention strategies, preventing and appropriately handling crises, and in monitoring other common drop-in activities.

**REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS**:

- SSW, or relevant community college diploma and 2 years recent experience in the area of housing placement in the Greater Toronto Area, or a combined equivalent of education and experience
- Strong knowledge of needs, experiences and community services for the homeless population.
- Knowledge and understanding of social housing, the Residential Tenancy Act, and eviction prevention strategies
- Knowledge of and support of a harm reduction approach
- Superior knowledge and skills in assessment, counseling and case management
- Demonstrated abilities with MS Office, databases, search engines, and electronic communication
- Strong written and verbal communication skill
- Demonstrated honesty, dependability and attention to detail
- Other languages an asset
- A current police reference check is required, which may include a vulnerable sector check

**Salary**: $27.55 per hour

**Education**:

- DCS / DEC (preferred)

**Experience**:

- housing placement: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: One location