Housing Outreach Worker

**About Us**

Homeward Trust Edmonton (Homeward Trust) is a not-for-profit organization charged with ending homelessness in Edmonton. Our efforts are guided by community needs and priorities as outlined in A Place to Call Home: Edmonton’s Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Homeward Trust has a dynamic work environment, filled with high-energy, dedicated, and passionate people.

Homeward Trust coordinates and provides resources for local efforts that address homelessness and its devastating impacts on individuals, families, and communities. We work with agencies, neighbourhoods, mainstream systems, community members, and all orders of government in pursuit of this singular objective, grounded in the belief that we can and will end homelessness in Edmonton. Homeward Trust is proud that our community is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in this work.

Homeward Trust embraces the Housing First philosophy. This philosophy follows the principles of finding housing accommodations first and then establishing the support required by the client to remain in a home. Homeward Trust Edmonton’s programs involve both housing (capital project funding, property management and sourcing access to new or existing units for client use) and supportive services to individuals in or seeking access to housing programs.

**Position Summary**

The Housing Outreach Worker is a member of the Programs team and works closely with individuals/families in need of housing, funded agency housing teams, other community agencies, landlords, and government representatives.

**Education and Experience**
- Diploma or degree in human services, social work or community planning, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. This includes disciplines and fields of study as psychology, sociology, human geography, native studies.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in case management, community outreach, mental health, addictions or housing programs in a front-line capacity.
- Exposure to or direct work history with principles of evidence-based practice, client centered, and harm reduction models.
- Prior experience on meeting the needs of vulnerable populations relative to housing is preferred.
- Prior work with Indigenous cultures (understanding of history of Colonization of indigenous people, knowledge of culture, training).
- Due to the changing nature of work in light of COVID-19, individuals are expected to have a strong grasp of current technology including web-based resources and teleconferencing tools.

**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**
- Sound understanding of available housing, income support and related agency/government assistance programs in the Edmonton community.
- Demonstrated ability to perform proactive community outreach activities.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills to connect with individuals, funded agencies and other stakeholders to meet Homeward Trust reporting requirements and standards. Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, participants, and community agencies.
- Experience working independently in a fast-paced environment with competing demands and frequently tight timelines.
- Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions and the ability to work with culturally diverse people. Familiarity with First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities in Alberta and issues and challenges facing those choosing to move to urban centres is an asset.
- Able to exercise discretion, compassion, and empathy, and maintain confidentiality.
- Able to work independently and utilize sound judgment to perform all assigned duties with mínimal supervision.
- Results-focused to meet high standards of performance, able to monitor progress towards goals and make adjustments when necessary, including the ability to review and adjust plans as required.
- Ability to build organizational trust in his or her own professionalism, integrity, and expertise.
- A confident self-starter, able to meet challenges, and to overcome obstacles.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office software, “Efforts to Outcomes” (ETO) or other related Access and database programs.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Housing Work - 75%_
- Collaboratively work to support individuals in accessing appropriate housing options, based on their needs and in a client centered, trauma-informed capacity.
- Establishing professional working relationships with all funded agency Housing First Teams to assist in housing their identified clients.
- Support team of housing workers as needed.
- Conducting assertive outreach to connect with participants.
- Assess client needs to determine the appropriate housing response. -budget needs, level of housing, ensuring that housing meets standards.
- Secure placement in bridge housing for participants while they are engaging in the housing process if needed.
- Establish and maintain professional working relationships with landlords.
- Transport