Land Lord Engagement Specialist

406-134 Queen Street E, Brampton, ON, L6V-1B2

**Landlord Engagement Specialist**

PROGRAM AREA: Bridge of Hope (BOH)

HOURS/WEEK: 37.5 hours per week, full-time (Days, Evenings and some weekends)

**Salary**: $65,000

REST Centers is a B3 (black-led, black-focused, black-serving) charity working to end youth homelessness in Peel Region by providing transitional housing and support services to youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those leaving the foster care system. We are providers of a housing-first, community-driven model to keep youth off the streets and foster their transition to independent living. We move beyond ‘emergency or temporary’ solutions, focusing instead on continuum of care. We surround youth with holistic support, helping them change their story and discover new life possibilities, including shelter; income, food and basic necessities; physical, mental and emotional wellness; cultivating life skills and self-belief.

Our mission calls for societal understanding that youth homelessness has many root causes and complexities. The lack of affordable housing for example contributes to hidden homelessness, for youth who turn to couch surfing and do not show up in the numbers. REST upholds that with increased understanding, we can mobilize community resources to help them transcend instability and achieve independence.

We are seeking a Landlord Engagement Specialist to join our team in support of the REST Bridge of Hope Program.

Bridge of Hope program is a host-home program, in which members of the community provide living spaces to youth in need of immediate housing. The purpose of the program is to prevent youth homelessness by offering an alternative to an emergency shelter. The underlying goal is to situate youth in an environment where they feel welcomed, safe, supported and loved.

Location: Head office in Peel Region (Brampton) with requirements to travel across the Peel Region

**Job Summary**:
**Responsibilities**:

- Research and analyze current landlord engagement programs to identify best practices and develop a comprehensive landlord engagement plan. To include strategies for identifying and engaging with potential landlords, building and maintaining positive relationships with them, and developing partnerships to expand the organization's housing opportunities.
- Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to develop and implement outreach strategies to engage landlords in the program.
- Research and identify potential landlords and properties that align with the organization's mission and values, and develop strategies for engaging with them.
- Build and maintain relationships with landlords, property managers, and leasing agents to increase the availability of affordable housing for black youth in the community
- Develop and implement educational programs for landlords on fair housing practices, tenant rights, and available resources for landlords etc
- Develop and maintain a database of potential landlords and properties, and track progress and outcomes of the landlord engagement program.
- Provide support and advocacy for landlords in resolving disputes and issues related to tenancy of youth involved in REST program.
- Develop and maintain program budgets, goals, and outcomes
- Work closely with the organization's leadership team to ensure alignment with the organization's mission and strategic goals.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant housing policies and regulations, and adjust the landlord engagement program as needed to comply with these policies.

**Requirements**:

- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. social work, community development, public policy, urban planning)
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in program development, community outreach, or property management
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships with landlords, community stakeholders, and tenants
- Knowledge of fair housing practices, tenant rights, and landlord-tenant law
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software
- Passion for social justice and a commitment to the organization's mission of providing affordable housing to Black youth in the community.

**Transferable Skills**
- Lived experience of the Black, African & Caribbean culture, in particular, understanding of anti-Black racism issues
- Understanding of challenges faced by homeless youth
- Proven time-management, organization, engagement and sustainability skills
- Ability to work well in a team setting and with mínimal supervision
- Ability to attract the community to the agency using innovative and exciting strategies
- Demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, creativity, versatility, adaptability and ability to engage persons of all ages
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