Housing Retention Specialist

**Housing Retention Worker**

Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. (37.5 hours/week) (Some evening, weekend and on-call hours may be required)

Rate of Pay: $50,000/year

Benefits: Employee Assistance Programme, Health Care Spending Account

Report to: Housing Manager

Number of Positions: 1 FT, 1-year contract

Inn From the Cold (IFTC) strives to meet the needs of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in York Region. We work with the community and collaborate with our partners to support those with basic to complex needs. IFTC’s work is housing-focussed and trauma-informed, offering a continuum of services and programmes that allow us to partner with our clients on their journeys out of homelessness. IFTC promotes a healthy, safe workplace and has created an intentional culture of wellness for all staff, volunteers, and clients.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provide trusted, person-centred assistance and guidance to clients who are recently housed and/or at risk of losing their housing.
- Provide appropriate intervention to assist former emergency housing, Stability Now, Please Come Inn, and Drop By clients to retain their housing.
- Provide informal counselling, crisis prevention and intervention, and conflict resolution coaching.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure housing stability.
- Assist vulnerable clients transitioning out of emergency shelter and into housing.
- Complete VI SPDATs and create individually focussed housing stability plans for all housed clients.
- Provide continuous support as plans are implemented.
- Conduct and co-ordinate tenancy education sessions, invite guest speakers, evaluate sessions and seek feedback re: housing related needs from clients.
- Work collaboratively with other IFTC staff and programmes.

**Administrative/Communication**:

- Case notes and incident report documentation (HIFIS)
- Data collection and reporting, as required (with support from supervisor)
- Document Housing Stability Plans
- Participate in bi-monthly one-on-one supervision meetings and an end of contract performance review with the Housing Manager
- Participate in All Staff Meetings.
- Clean driving abstract, valid driver’s license, and access to a reliable vehicle with an insurance rider ($2M liability) to transport clients is required (costs can be covered by IFTC)

**Health & Safety**:

- Ensure all Health & Safety, psychological wellness, and IPAC guidelines are followed as per IFTC policies
- Adhere to all IFTC policies, including Working off-site, Confidentiality & Maintaining Professional Boundaries policies
- Report any relevant health & safety concerns to the Housing Manager

**Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience**:

- Degree/Diploma in social/human services field or other relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
- Communicate effectively in English, both written and verbally
- Demonstrate advanced interpersonal skills specific to the role, including de-briefing, active listening, conflict resolution, problem solving, and the ability to form supportive relationships with marginalized individuals
- Strong risk assessment skills, with an ability to support clients in distress and de-escalate challenging situations
- Demonstrated ability to participate and contribute in a team environment with an inclusive, collaborative approach, and engage in trauma-informed practice
- Ability to work under mínimal supervision and act with a high degree of independent judgement, taking action on a variety of matters as required
- Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback
- Knowledge and understanding of the issues associated with homelessness and/or socially isolated adults
- Knowledge of concurrent disorders and experience with the continuum of addiction and mental health services
- Demonstrated commitment to continual learning in providing services to the homeless population
- Proven ability to work in a stressful and changing work environment
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
- Vulnerable sector screening prior to commencing work is essential
- Level 1 Occupational 1st Aid and CPR certificate is required prior to commencing work
- Food Handler’s certificate prior to commencing work is an asset

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $50,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Employee assistance program

Schedule:

- Day shift

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2024-12-09