Housing Support Worker
Job No:
148813
Location:
Toronto, ON
- Bring your skills to an organization that helps break the cycle of homelessness!
- Finish each day knowing that you've made a difference in the lives of others!
- Enjoy a highly attractive salary and an excellent benefits package!
About Homes First
Based in Toronto, Homes First has been providing supportive housing and shelter for over 35 years with a focus on the chronically homeless, people with complex mental health and addictions issues, and seniors. We operate from a harm reduction and client-centered approach.
Homes First is a rapidly growing organization and we need hardworking people to join us at our shelters and respites to provide services to those people with the fewest housing options.
For more information please visit our website.
About the Opportunity
Currently, Homes First is looking for dedicated Housing Support Workers to join our team in Toronto, Ontario on a full-time basis.
This position is part of a multidisciplinary, specialized mobile team providing in-home, follow-up support services to referred clients. The team will share a caseload of clients, accompany clients to any meetings or appointments and provide rapid rehousing support stability while adhering to the mission statement and policies & procedures of Homes First Society. The goal of these roles will be to break the cycle of homelessness and improve housing stability.
More specifically, your responsibilities will include:
- Accepting client referrals from the City’s coordination team
- Participating in the client transfer process as outlined by the City
- Providing responsive, client-centered Follow-Up Support Services to help clients stabilize their housing and connect to community-based support and services
- Developing and monitoring an individualized case management plan for each client
- Providing rehousing supports and assistance where the tenancy cannot be sustained
- Completing and regularly updating an assessment of housing-related support needs to provide referrals to a wide array of community-based supports, services, and programs based on client’s goals, needs, and choices
- Supporting participants in the program to complete individualized case plans that focus on housing stabilization
- Providing wrap-around case management supports and liaising/mediation with landlords to stabilize housing
- Recording best practices and collecting data for evaluation purposes
- Using a housing-first approach consistent with the service model when implementing the program
- Participating in joint meetings with program housing workers and clients to ensure a smooth transfer after clients have secured permanent housing
- Maintaining client records professionally and confidentially in accordance with Homes First standards
- Developing and monitoring case management plans including crisis plans for each client
More About You
In order to qualify for this role, you will have a post-secondary degree in Addictions or a related field; a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor certificate from the Canadian Addiction Counsellor's Federation would be an asset. A minimum of 3 years of addictions counseling experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience is required.
As our ideal candidate, you'll have demonstrated understanding of the psychology of addiction, issues underlying addiction, trauma, and mental health issues. You are experienced in case management, group facilitation, and teaching adults, along with proven interviewing and counseling skills. Your exceptional communication skills will combine with your organization, time management skills, and your ability to work independently and in inter-dependent teams, with minimum supervision in a busy and flexible environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook is required; certificates in First Aid, CPR, Crisis Prevention and Intervention would be strong assets.
Above all, you are comfortable delivering care in clients' homes and able to troubleshoot and resolve issues as they arise with professionalism and care.
Please note that candidates must have the ability to provide or conduct a criminal record check, and be able to work evenings occasionally.
About the Benefits
In appreciation of your hard work and dedication, you can expect to be rewarded with a highly attractive salary.
On top of joining a positive unionized environment, you can also look forward to receiving fantastic benefits, including:
- Health and dental benefits
- Pension of 8% - employee contribution of 1.9% and employer contribution of 6.1%
- Two weeks vacation on joining that increases by a week after a year
- Three weeks of sick days per year
- One week of personal time per year
- Huge amounts of training offered - we have two offsite training days a year with both breakfast and lunch provided
- Opportunities for career progression - the growing homelessness crisis requires us to grow too, and we prefer to promote from within
Upon joining Homes First, you will be welcomed into a supportive and inclusive team. We greatly value the contributions of all our team members and are committed to providing a safe and rewarding working environment as well as opportunities for professional development and career progression.
If you're looking for a new and rewarding career - Apply Now!