Housing Support Worker

Human Services – Housing Services

CUPE LOCAL 966

Status:
• 1 Regular Full-time
• 15 Contract Full-time up to 12 months

Salary Range: $66,898.00- $79,853.00/year

Work mode: Remote * see below for more details about this work mode.

Location: 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton

Hours of work: 35 hour/week

Who we are: Housing Services l eads service system planning and management of housing and homelessness programs and services with a view to policy and service integration. Helps improve these services through effective planning, based on local information and research about the needs of Peel's many different communities.

"Housing Services is passionately committed to ensuring stable, affordable, appropriate housing and supports in Peel. We manage a collaborative system of care focused on delivering services with compassion and respect in a way that preserves dignity."

The Role: The Housing Support Worker provides service to individuals and families who are at... high-risk and need housing support programs and other resources to help them obtain and maintain housing.

The major focus of this position is to assess housing eligibility in accordance with the Housing Services Act (HSA) and link critically sensitive individuals and families with proper housing supports, resources, manage financial funds, and provide multi-sector and shared case management.

The Housing Support Worker interacts and supports homeless, low-income households, individuals or families living in shelters, on the streets or experience multi-complex barriers impacting housing stability. This position requires a high-level of intensive case management and collaboration with applicants, residents, landlord staff and supportive agencies.

​​​​​​​ What you will do in this role:
• Provides initial crisis intervention, makes referrals, works in partnership with community resources for housing support and works one-on-one with clients during crisis and stabilization period
• Identifies and facilitates appropriate permanent housing options for multi-barrier clients in need of intense housing supports and matches them to the right service.
• Conducts any necessary screening, assessment evaluations, intense case management and navigation services and determine a client's eligibility to several different housing options and services
• Work with the clients to determine and eliminate complex barriers preventing housing stability, identify high risk social complexity factors and matches client with appropriate services and programs
• Provides intense, multi-sector and shared case management supports and intervention services that addresses housing stability
• Provides onsite services in the areas of independent living skills, conflict resolution, negotiation skills, and financial linkages available to assist in reaching case plan goals
• Develops a plan of intervention with the client that addresses the need for housing, services, crisis intervention, and continuity of care planning and coordination
• Interviews and reviews eligibility criteria to ensure suitable placement and calculation of rent for housing units, preparing and signing rent supplement agreements
• Calculates and issues funds based on program eligibility to ensure housing stability
• Provide community referrals to assist clients and their families, as needed
• Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocates for clients with prospective landlords
• Documents reasons for housing program ineligibility, advises in writing and makes referrals to other resources or services at Peel or in the community to help clients experiencing hardship
• Provide customer service to applicants and residents, and maintenance of customer files
• Provide information or advice within the guidelines of an established by-law, or program
• Maintain client related data tracking systems, generate client data for monthly reporting
• Identifies and sets up payment agreements and repayment contracts with residents who have outstanding arrears
• Updates relevant resident data changes, such as income and family composition, initiated by the annual renewals and/or the resident
• Responds to and actions all resident complaints as appropriate
• Provides life skills assistance and coaching
• May facilitate group discussions

What the role requires:
• College Diploma in Human Services field combined with at least two (2) years of related experience in the delivery of direct client service in housing and/or homelessness
• Knowledge of all applicable policies, legislations, acts including but not limited to the Housing Services Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
• A valid class G driver's license
• Demonstrated creativity in case management with consideration to the client's unique circumstances
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and other Housing enabling technology

Skills/Abilities :
• Specific knowledge of housing and homelessness programs and other services available in Human Services
• Strong knowledge of community agencies and demonstrated ability to work in partnership with them
• Experience and sensitivity working with those impacted by mental health issues, addiction, victims of violence and abuse
• Crisis intervention, harm reduction, and client centered care experience required
• Creativity in problem solving, and the ability to follow through on housing leads
• Advocacy to help people who have struggled with homelessness and help them find and secure housing
• Strong communication skills, speaking, listening and writing clearly and thoroughly
• Excellent customer service skills
• Negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Tact, diplomacy, decision making, and organizational skills
• Ability to deal with challenging applicants
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Must maintain and execute confidential information
• Trauma trained required

Perks @ Peel and why you will love working for us:
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision benefit plan (regular full-time)
• Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan (where applicable)
• Accrue Vacation on a monthly basis starting at 2 weeks per annum
• Supportive leadership and a culture of respect and inclusion

Preference will be given to qualified applicants who are currently in the bargaining unit.

This position is a bargaining unit position represented by CUPE Local 966. Continuous employment is not guaranteed and may be subject to layoffs as outlined in the Collective Agreement Article 15.
• Work Mode: In this role you will have the ability to work remotely and attend on-site when required based on operational requirements at the 10 Peel Centre Drive worksite and other Community Sites. The frequency of on-site activities may vary on a weekly basis and based on operational requirements. Your remote work location must be located within the province of Ontario.

Interview: Our recruitment process will be completed with video conference technology.

If this opportunity matches your qualifications and experience, please apply on-line.

As part of the Region's ongoing commitment to health and safety, there are enhanced COVID-19 specific safety protocols and/or personal protective equipment requirements (e.g. masks, eye protection, etc.) in place to help protect health and safety. The additional requirements are determined based on the nature of the work being carried out.

New employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated is determined as the status of having received the full series of approved vaccines (both doses of a two dose vaccine series, one dose of a single dose vaccine series) and any additional doses required and approved by Health Canada and having satisfied the full post vaccination period required to ensure vaccination efficacy. The Region of Peel reserves the right to request proof of vaccination at any time. Acceptable proof includes an Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccine receipt which you can obtain through the Provincial portal , or other government-issued vaccine passport or certification.

The requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you are not fully vaccinated , a documented medical reason provided by a physician or registered nurse and time period for the medical reason may be accepted.

Peel Region consists of the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and the town of Caledon. The Region of Peel delivers essential services to more than 1.5 million residents and approximately 175,000 businesses.

We're working to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and accessible. A place where everyone feels they belong and can access the services they need to thrive throughout each stage of life.

Our workforce is 6,500 strong and s ince 1974, we've been delivering a wide range of resident focused services. Our services include paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, waste water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial assistance, and housing support.

Recognized by Canada's Healthy Workplace Month with the presented by Excellence Canada, the Region of Peel is a place where everyone feels they belong. We strive to develop a workplace that values and respects diversity, practices inclusion, recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all people and facilitates innovative thinking. At Region of Peel, people come first. Each employee has an important role within our community and when we work together, it's impactful. We encourage you to join us in delivering essential services and programs to our diverse community. You won't find a better opportunity than the Region of Peel.

The Region of Peel is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued for their contributions, and where everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity to grow and develop. As one of the most diverse regions in Canada, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the population we serve.

The Region of Peel is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request. If you require accommodation please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available. Please contact zzg-

Please be advised, the Region of Peel uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job competitions. It is the applicant's responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e. testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the position and your application will be removed from the competition
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