Housing Relocation Officer I

City of Vancouver•Vancouver, BC

4d•CA$38 - CA$45•Hybrid

About The Position

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide housing relocation and referral services to individuals and families in need, including people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations. The position assesses clients’ mental health, stability and financial circumstances; assists in accessing income supports and personal identification, advises on procedures for locating housing and on basic rights; makes referrals to appropriate agencies; and, as appropriate, provides direct housing search assistance and advocates for clients. Considerable independent judgement and action are exercised within the framework of established guidelines and procedures. Work is reviewed for quality of services provided and achievement of desired objectives.

Requirements

Diploma in the field of community service or social science, including or supplemented by some training in addictions, physical and mental illness, conflict resolution and violence prevention, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Considerable knowledge of market and non-market rental housing resources and programs.
Considerable knowledge of the counseling, social and medical service requirements of persons experiencing housing displacement and homelessness.
Considerable knowledge of the social, medical, financial and community resources available to clients.
Considerable knowledge of the rules, regulations, procedures and policies governing the work.
Working knowledge of municipal and provincial legislation affecting tenants.
Ability to recognize and address mental, physical and neurological disabilities in clients, as well as financial and social problems which may complicate tenancy.
Ability to advise, assist and work persuasively with clients of the housing relocation service.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside agencies, public and community resource organizations, landlords, members of the public, other government officials and civic staff.
Ability to advocate for clients.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to prepare and maintain records and files related to the work.
Ability to respond to emergencies after regular work hours, walk long distances, climb stairs.
Ability to lift and carry up to 20kg.
Police record check

Responsibilities

Outreach support to individuals experiencing homelessness at the Outreach Team office (392 Powell Street) and with site visits to the street, park, or field or other outdoor locations where people are sheltering to gain information on client situation and living conditions and supports needed.
Assesses clients through an interview process for mental health and stability, substance use issues, familial abuse and suicide risk and responds appropriately.
Assesses the financial circumstances of clients to determine entitlement to government income or housing assistance. Takes action to ensure that clients are receiving their full financial and housing entitlements. Understands the current income assistance and other relevant legislation affecting housing and basic human rights.
Locates housing and provides direct housing search assistance and arranges for emergency housing; as required, coordinates clients’ moves and oversees the work of movers; advises clients on procedures for locating housing and on basic rights under relevant legislation and bylaws.
Provides direct assistance in completing applications for housing, welfare and pensions, and identification applications.
Refers clients to appropriate private and public non-profit agencies, provides encouragement and attempts to motivate clients.
Makes visits to buildings slated for demolition and landlords evicting tenants to determine tenants’ assistance requirements and to seek landlord support in relocating tenants.
Advocates for clients with landlords and housing, legal, income and medical resources; testifies in legal proceedings as required.
Provides assistance to other community services and hospital social workers in locating housing for their clients.
Attends fires and other emergency building closures to provide support to displaced vulnerable populations.
Liaises with various community and public agencies providing relocation services or housing; obtains and exchanges information within COV privacy guidelines.
Supports delivery of programs of an educational, cultural, social and recreational nature provided by the Homelessness Outreach Program.
Prepares and maintains various files, records and statistics related to the work, including reporting client data gathered through databases, logbooks, paper files and memos according to departmental guidelines, as well as updating the HIFIS database on a daily basis.
Responsible for reporting work performed, or client information gathered, through databases, logbooks, paper files and memos according to the guidelines provided by the department.
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.