Housing Resource Worker

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in a health/social service field, with experience working in the area of mental health and/or with under-served populations
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills to work with persons with disabilities, service providers, landlords, and community/partner agencies
• Knowledge and understanding of community resources, including Employment and Income Assistance, Housing, Residential Tenancy Branch, Child and Family Services and the ability to make/receive referrals from appropriate community resources
• Knowledge of relevant legislation regarding housing such as Landlord/Tenancy Act, City by-laws relevant to building safety and inspections, etc
• Province of Manitoba Class 5 Drivers Licence, and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within Prairie Mountain Health
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology
• Demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Demonstrated flexibility to facilitate changes in techniques and procedures.
• Ability to display independent judgment
• Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
• Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
• Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis

Position Summary
The 7th Street Health Access Centre ("the Access Centre"), is located in downtown Brandon, and works with a population that is culturally and economically diverse to provide primary health care services, encompassing the determinants of health. The Access Centre is positioned to support and serve individuals and families whose health and social services needs are currently under serviced and/or elusive.

The incumbent plays an integral role on the team of service providers working out of the Access Centre to provide coordinated support for individuals who require assistance accessing and maintaining housing, in cooperation with landlords, Canadian Mental Health Association and other agencies within Brandon and Prairie Mountain Health (PMH).

Responsibilities
Overview:

• Establishes and maintains a listing of housing options for priority populations.

• Fosters positive working relationships with landlords and housing providers.

• Assists clients to have true housing costs covered and supports the client in going through available funding options or appeal processes, as needed.
• Works with potential partners and Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation to identify needs of clients, which translates into identification of rental supply requirements.

• Maintains communication with various stakeholders e.g. Manitoba Housing, Prairie Mountain Health, Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Housing First.

• Serves as a central clearing house for residents of Brandon and Prairie Mountain Health seeking affordable housing, using the priority populations as a lens to determine eligibility for service.

• Makes and receives referrals from internal and external sources.

• Conducts assessment of client needs, based on the determinants of health.
• Completes all required file documentation in a timely manner.
• Assists clients in finding emergency housing and basic needs including food, clothing, and furniture.
• Monitors availability of rental properties, within the integrated housing models.
• In consultation with team and community partners, prioritizes clients based on housing requirements in regards to the likelihood of success at location and available rental units.
• Assists clients, as needed, to complete necessary forms to secure and keep their housing of choice.
• Assists clients to secure necessary housing supports, as needed, to deal with any difficulties, which may arise, that prevents and/or jeopardizes the housing placement.
• Facilitates the placement of tenants to alternative housing.
• Works with clients and other service providers to ensure services are not duplicated.
• Advocates on behalf of clients relative to housing needs.
• Assists clients to determine service needs related to maintaining housing, presents them with service options and refers to the appropriate resource; supports clients as they follow through on accessing resources.
• Treats each client and family respectfully, and assists them to problem solve, using a strengths based approach.
• Applies a harm reduction philosophy to all aspects of the job.
• Conducts self in a non-judgmental, culturally sensitive manner.
• Follows instructions and proper lines of communication.

• Promotes services to clients, service providers and the community.

• Works with individuals and service providers to:

• Advocates to landlords on behalf of clients to make improvements in tenant relations or physical environment.

• Provides onsite visits to potential rental properties.
• Provides information, support and guidance to individuals and service providers in the process to improve living conditions. This includes accessing supports through EIA, the Residential Tenancies Branch, the Health Inspector, Legal Aid and Brandon Area and Planning.
• Collaborates with the Residential Tenancy Branch, Public Health Officer, building inspectors and Fire Department to conduct onsite inspections as needed.

• Maintains an understanding of Employment and Income Assistance and Housing programs, provides information on said programs, refers clients appropriately and assists clients to complete the required FSH program documents.

• Participates in the planning and implementation of strategies, which will create additional adequate and affordable housing units.

• Participates on inter-agency committees deemed relevant to the position.

• Completes statistical data and reports in accordance with program requirements.

• Keeps employer and relevant committees apprised of barriers, or changes in the housing market that affect access and affordability for clients.

• Facilitates the promotion and application of Affordable Housing Rent supplements available within Prairie Mountain Health region.

• Assists and supports potential tenants in completing the application process.

• Acts as an intermediary between the Provincial Affordable Housing Initiative rent subsidy programs, landlords and potential subsidy recipients.

• Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues within 7th Street Health Access Centre and PMH as a whole.

• Participates in multi-disciplinary team planning or client/family conferences as appropriate.

• Maintains a client-centered, respectful, professional relationship with clients, service providers and landlords.

• Professional Self-Growth:

• Commits to continuous self-improvement and professional growth, particularly as related to this position.

• Maintains a flexible approach to work.

• Other duties as assigned.