Housing Worker

**This is a union position scheduled to work 35 hours per week. **                                 

DUTIES 

• Assists clients to find, stabilize and maintain their housing through Housing Access, Housing Stabilization and Eviction Prevention utilizing the Housing First service delivery model.
• Conducts intakes and needs assessments.
• Assists clients with housing applications (The Access to Housing, Special Priority applications for victims of domestic violence, Access Point, co-ops and market rent units).
• Completes and submits financial support applications: LEAP, OESP.
• Provides case management services and crisis intervention.
• Provides information and refers clients to appropriate services or programs.
• Educates clients on housing options and housing related issues including landlord / tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Maintains program files, statistical information and evaluation data: prepares narrative and statistical service reports as needed.
• Advocates on behalf of clients with landlords, OW, ODSP and other services.
• Records client and service data in CIS, the agency database.
• Records LEAP client and service data in the LEAP Portal.
• Facilitate weekly information and training sessions to support clients with navigation and registration with MyAccesstoHousingTO, including Choice Base Cycles and Annual Renewals
• Provide mobile housing support services in North York.
• Offer drop-in service hours with self-serve options for clients (on or off site)

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent with relevant practicum experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience working within the Housing Help Sector utilizing the Housing First model of service.
  • Demonstrated experience in housing search, housing applications, and connecting with landlords.
  • Demonstrated experience of completing financial housing support applications (OESP, LEAP)
• Demonstrated knowledge of eviction prevention, housing access, housing stabilization and special priority housing applications.
• Demonstrated ability to provide case management to homeless or at risk of homelessness marginalized clients with complex needs who live with the impact of poverty, mental illness and substance use.
• Strong skills in landlord recruitment and mediation, and client advocacy.
• Strong understanding of market rent and subsidized housing systems and policies.
• Excellent understanding of eviction prevention within the context of the Residential Tenancy Act.
• Knowledge of specific issues facing refugees and immigrants, race relations, gender, abuse survivors and mental health.
• Knowledge of settlement and housing related services and resources, with an emphasis on the services and resources that exist within the Greater Toronto Area.
• Knowledge of Internet, Email and Windows software e.g. Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated experience in data-entry, documentation and reporting.
• Excellent communication, organization and coordination skills.
• Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.
• Fluency in a second language will be considered an asset.