Housing Outreach Worker

Job Title: Housing Outreach Worker

Company: John Howard Society of Victoria

Location: In Person, Victoria, BC

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Work hours: 40 hour per week, Mon - Fri, 8 am to 4:30 pm

Salary: $ $34.42 per hour

Benefits: Employee Engagement Activities, Organization Events, Dental care, Disability insurance, Employee assistance program, Extended health care, Life insurance, Paid time off, RRSP match

Who We Are:

John Howard Society of Victoria is a fast paced growing, dynamic and innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services.

At John Howard Society of Victoria we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs.

Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values:

• Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all
• Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence

• Our Goals:

• Service Excellence: Improve the quality of life of the people we service through more relevant, accessible and sustainable services.

• Organizational Sustainability: Realize a resilient operational and governance model that supports JHSV to consistently serve the end-to-end client journey.
• Capacity: Increase our capacity to work effectively and efficiently as a team.

• Our Values:

• Our Service Commitments (How we provide services to clients) – Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment

• Team Values (How we work together) – Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency

What We Offer:

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, sick and personal time, health and dental plans, long-term disability, critical illness and RRSP
• Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
• Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input With numerous employee engagements, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community.
• Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues.
• Impactful Work: Employees at JHS Victoria are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose.

About the Program:

Reaching Home – Housing / Housing Access Team (HAT) is a harm reduction-based outreach program that supports individuals experiencing homelessness or precarious housing to secure and maintain permanent, safe, and affordable housing. The program works with individuals who face multiple barriers, including substance use, mental health challenges, poverty, and trauma. Through a person-centered and trauma-informed approach, the program provides housing navigation, system advocacy, life skills support, and wraparound connections to health and social services. The program operates in collaboration with community partners and housing providers to reduce homelessness and promote long-term housing stability across Greater Victoria.

Position Summary:

The Position reports to Manager, Community Programs

We are seeking a dedicated Housing Outreach Worker who is committed to providing intensive outreach support to individuals transitioning from Regional Supportive Housing sites and experiencing homelessness. The Housing Outreach worker will be responsible for both outreach support and landlord support. This is an in-person role with no opportunity to work-from home.

What You'll Be Doing:

Client Support (65%)

• Support individuals experiencing homelessness or exiting temporary or supportive housing to secure and sustain permanent, safe, and affordable housing.
• Provide community reintegration support to help clients identify and connect with essential services such as primary health care,

income assistance, food security programs, and social/recreational opportunities.

• Works in collaboration with the client to conduct a Needs Assessment, and then formulate a comprehensive service plan that is reviewed and modified with client on a regular basis. Conduct 3, 6, 9, 12 month check ins to ensure client is working towards

their goals.

• Work under a person-centered model of support to foster opportunity to achieve individualized, measurable short and long-term goals. provide services for all clients who have experienced homelessness and lived experiences of facing multiple barriers such as substance use, disabilities, mental health, poverty, and trauma
• Provide flexible and mobile outreach services, including case management, advocacy, and informal counseling, in environments such as streets, shelters, hospitals, corrections facilities, housing sites, and offices.
• Provide individually tailored services to each client—i.e., housing placement, landlord mediation, independent living skills, vocational guidance, appointment escorts, information and access to integrated substance use treatment and mental health services.
• Support and provide services for all clients who have experienced homelessness and lived experiences of facing multiple barriers such as substance abuse, mental health, poverty, and trauma.
• Educate, inform, and advocate for clients regarding benefits and financial entitlements, rental subsidies (SAFER, BC Housing,
• PWD, IA), housing registries, employment supports, and community-based low-barrier resources.
• Liaises with the internal teams and departments within the Society as necessary.
• Attend internal organizational, department, program and team meetings.
• Assist clients in communicating with landlords, understanding tenancy agreements, and resolving housing-related issues.

Community Engagement (20%)

• Liaise with landlords, partner organizations, funders, community partners, and stakeholders to develop and maintain working relationships.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with landlords and housing providers to support client housing placements, negotiate

tenancy opportunities, address potential concerns, and promote long-term housing retention.

• Explore partnerships and collaborations with other agencies to enhance service delivery.
• Support policy shifts by documenting barriers faced by clients and providing insights to leadership and funders.
• Identify underserved populations and explore opportunities to serve them through additional programming.
• Foster relationships with private landlords and non-profit housing providers to increase available units for clients.
• Participate in direct support and case planning with JHSV housing team, case management team, community partners.
• Work under a person-centered model of support to foster opportunity to achieve measurable short and long-term goals.
• Be up to date on local agencies and government provisions and opportunities related to housing.
• Participate in committees, forums and discussions regarding the provision of housing programs in Victoria.

Reporting (15%)

• Maintain accurate records of case management activities, outreach efforts, and outcomes, including demographic information, housing status, support services accessed, referrals made, and follow-up actions.
• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (including case notes, statistics, letters, monthly report contribution, available file information and reports.
• Maintain a database of housing options, track unit availability, and coordinate inspections and move-in logistics.
• Prepare and submit a monthly internal report outlining client progress, housing outcomes, service gaps, and engagement statistics.

Perform other duties and projects as required and not limited to the responsibilities as mentioned.

• The assigned percentage of job responsibilities may vary based on organizational and operational priorities.

What We're Looking For:

Qualifications:

• Diploma and/or degree in the social or behavioral sciences.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in the social services sector, particularly in housing and outreach.
• Knowledge of the continuum of housing and barriers to accessing safe and affordable rental markets.
• Awareness of the unique needs of individuals from Indigenous ancestry, ethno-cultural groups, and persons with disabilities.
• Proficient in verbal and written English at a professional level, with excellent communication, organization and interpersonal abilities.
• High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, SharePoint) and case management systems.
• Criminal Record Check.
• Valid Class 5 Driver's License and access to a reliable vehicle, insured for business up to $5,000,000 for liability, and which can be used to transport clients.
• Travel will be required within the CRD.
• Emergency First Aid certification is an asset.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information effectively and possess strong integrity.

Skills and Competencies:

• Available to work outside of normal office hours.
• Carry provided cell phone to facilitate your contact with clients.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities and strong active listening skills to understand client needs and concerns.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple cases simultaneously and strong attention to detail in case documentation and reporting.
• Experience in case management and client support services.
• Patience, creativity, flexibility, and compassion.
• Demonstrated and clear ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations.
• Sensitivity to the unique needs of those of Indigenous ancestry and ethno-cultural groups, and persons with disabilities.
• Ability to deescalate potentially violent situations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Who You Are:

• Patience: Ability to remain calm and understanding when working with individuals facing challenges.
• Creativity: Innovative in finding solutions and approaches to meet the unique needs of clients.
• Flexibility: Adaptable to changing situations and client needs in various environments.
• Compassion: Demonstrates empathy and concern for the well-being of clients.
• Advocacy: Strong commitment to educating and advocating for clients regarding benefits and entitlements.
• Sensitivity: Awareness and sensitivity to the experiences and needs of socially marginalized or disadvantaged populations.

Creating Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities at JHS Victoria:

At John Howard Society of Victoria, we proudly embrace the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we're excited to invite applicants from all backgrounds to join our team We understand that everyone's journey is different, and we are committed to providing the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success throughout the hiring process. John Howard Society of Victoria will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email if you have a need for any accommodation. We're here to help

Ready to Make a Positive Impact?

If you're passionate about making a positive impact in people's lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we'd love to hear from you

Please submit your application through our portal. Submission deadline is December 10, 2025, and we'll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. So don't wait—apply today and take the next step in your journey with us