Housing Relations Specialist

**(Full-time position)**

**Context**:
Over 1/3 of homeless people in Ottawa are Indigenous. Wabano has been providing homelessness services to our community for over 20 years. But both “houselessness” and homelessness have negative connotationsat Wabano, we see our role more as “path finders”. Whether clients need help finding or keeping their home, our team is here to help clients create a safe, cozy place that they can feel pride in calling home.

Wabano is now looking for a Housing Relations Specialist to be part of our “Home Team” working collaboratively within the **Indigenous-specific coordinated access system in Ottawa.** (See Appendix for more information on this system.)

We are looking for an individual that is inspired by the work of grassroots initiatives and is motivated to find innovative ways to foster rapport and use technology to streamline communication.

**The Role**:
As the Housing Relations Specialist, you will build and preserve trusting relationships with landlords in Ottawa. We’ll rely on you to engage with our housing team and potential landlords regularly, working together to find homes for low-income Indigenous families in Ottawa.

To meet these responsibilities, the Housing Relations Specialist will:
As the Housing Relations Specialist, you will build and preserve trusting relationships with landlords in Ottawa. We’ll rely on you to engage with our housing team and potential landlords regularly, working together to find homes for low-income Indigenous families in Ottawa.

To meet these responsibilities, the Housing Relations Specialist will:

- Identify appropriate private rental housing opportunities for low-income Indigenous individuals and families in Ottawa.
- Maintain ongoing communication with Case Managers of Wabano and Minwaashin Lodge about available housing, creating technology solutions to maximize the channels of communication.
- Develop a network of contacts consisting of landlords and property managers.
- Create promotional tools and methods to inspire this network to participate in the housing program.
- Maintain good relationships with these landlords and property managers.
- Do initial site visits of available units and create “postings” for distribution to Wabano and Minwaashin Lodge Case Managers that clearly and visually describe the unit.
- Offer support to teams’ Case Managers by:

- helping them identify available properties that correspond to clients’ criteria,
- being the connector to the landlord and property managers, starting the client off on the right path, and
- being an advocate for clients, enhancing cultural sensitivity and respect.

**Qualifications**:

- Ability to build, foster, and maintain positive professional relationships
- Proficiency with Customer Relation Management technology
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Keen analytical and research abilities
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution capabilities
- Post-secondary completion in relevant field OR equivalent work/lived experience with low-income Indigenous families
- 2+ years of experience in a customer service role, sales or communications role

**Salary**:
***Range $55,000 per year + Benefits

**Why Work for Us**:
***You would be a part of a collaborative and supportive work environment. Additionally, you would have access to:

- Collaborative and Supportive Work Environment;
- Comprehensive Group Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
- A Defined Benefit Pension Plan/ Employee Pension Plan with an equal contribution by Wabano (HOOPP)
- An Employee Assistance Program
- Four (4) weeks paid vacation time

**Application Details**:
Wabano is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity or interviewing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

**Appendix**:
**What is a coordinated access system?**:
From Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Directives

A coordinated access system is the process by which individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness are directed to community-level access points where trained workers use a common assessment tool to evaluate the individual or family’s depth of need, prioritize them for housing support services and then help to match them to available housing focused interventions.

Quality coordinated access systems share several features, including a centralized database that collects and displays real-time data on clients and available housing and supports; clear access points of entry; common assessment; standardized protocols; and resources (for example, staff) focused on ensuring that people can connect with appropriate housing and housing supports in an efficient manner.

**Definitions**:

- **Access**: the enga