Community Housing Support Worker

Job Description

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Manager of Abbey Ridge, the Community Housing Support Worker will provide holistic case management for youth engaged in our Supported Housing Programs. They will help youth who are homeless or at risk of being homeless connect to and maintain independent housing. The Housing Support Worker will be involved in growth and innovation in our Supportive Living Programs as we respond to the changing housing climate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Youth/Tenants Programming:

• Build rapport with and provide support to youth in the Supportive Living Programs
• Through effective case management, develop and document plans with young people to further goals for education/employment assistance, stable and affordable housing, relationships, life skills, identity, engagement and emotional healing
• Make referrals to other supports and services and participate in case conferencing that includes the youth client and other service providers
• Proactively seek out new housing opportunities, rentals, and resources
• Maintain on-going relationships with landlords and other housing providers
• Provide client-focused supportive mentoring in an adaptable and flexible approach, considering each client’s unique qualities
• Set expectations around keeping and maintaining housing through regular visits with the client
• Teach tenancy life skills one-on-one or through group work, such as budgeting, recycling, cleaning, being a good neighbor, conflict resolution, and following the lease agreement
• Guide clients through affordable housing subsidy applications
• Coordinate and support clients with unit viewings, moving plan, payment of rent, and set up of utilities
• Facilitate the departure process for clients in collaboration with the Manager and/or Team Lead

 Administrative:

• Create and maintain a Housing Directory to include documentation of all contacts with housing providers/landlords. Provide consistent updates on housing availability
• Possess working knowledge of and efficiency in the Homeless Individual and Family Information System (HIFIS), housing subsidies and information on housing assistance programs
• Maintain stats and records for Department of Community Services (DCS) using HIFIS
• Complete and generate monthly and annual reports
• Record progress and statistical information for the project and capture suggestions for improvement and best practices while ensuring confidentiality is protected

 Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with Manager, Team Lead and external agencies
• Participate in regular supervision and informal debriefs
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development
• Participate on Abbey Ridge’s referral committee in the referral process for youth when directed by the Manager and maintain strong key networks within the community
• Ensure a quality, effective, and client-directed program is always delivered and contributes to a collaborative and cohesive work environment
• Transport youth on occasion
• Ensure Abbey Ridge’s program is congruent with New Dawn’s vision and values. Provide suggestions to the Manager for change and/or improvement based on observations of what is or is not working
• Work in accordance with Abbey Ridge and New Dawn’s policies, procedures, and framework of practice
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or diploma in social sciences with relevant experience or 3+ years of experience doing similar work. Lived experience in homelessness or risk of homelessness is an asset
• Excellent communication skills, particularly listening, mediation, program facilitation and writing skills
• Possess strong organizational skills with ability to meet a demanding workload
• Detail oriented to complete requirements of files and contract compliance
• Creative thinker/adaptive personality
• Knowledge or understanding of tenant’s rights and responsibilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords
• Experience with computers and common applications
• Valid driver’s license and a car
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the population served
• A commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change
• The ability to establish and set appropriate limits with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals
• Knowledge of youth/family/community resources, programs and services within the community and within Nova Scotia
• Demonstration of experience in working from a strengths-based and relationship-based perspective
• Willingness and flexibility to work evening and weekend hours
• Complete all appropriate monthly and annual reports. Post secondary education in social sciences (Communications, Social Marketing or Community Development) and/or lived experience in homelessness or risk of homelessness
• Demonstrated high level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet
• Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs, and maintain a fairly active pace
• Demonstrated skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, narrative practice, a client directed approach and a social justice perspective)
• Standard First Aid/CPR or commitment to secure upon hiring
• Positive attitude and ability to work in a team environment

Working Conditions

• Some travel may be necessary
• Some bending and lifting is required to clean/maintain home
• Manual dexterity is required to use desktop computers and peripherals
• Some evening and weekend work may be required
• Overtime as required