Housing Retention Worker

Blue Door Support Services•East Gwillimbury, ON

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

Blue Door is a not-for-profit registered charitable agency governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. We have been an integral part of our community providing essential emergency shelter services since 1982. Blue Door’s mission is to support people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness to attain and retain affordable housing. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Housing Retention Worker: Short-Term, is a social worker, or equivalent, who assists service users, including adults, couples and families. The Housing Retention Worker: Short-Term, provides aftercare support for all individuals and households, for a period of three (3) months, once they have moved into housing. The worker will triage individuals and households to the Housing Retention program for long-term support as needed.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor of Social Work Degree or equivalent.
Combination of Bachelor level education and experience.
Knowledge of Landlord Tenant Act
Experience working with the homeless or similar population.
An understanding of homelessness, mental health and addiction issues
An ability to work independently and as an effective team member.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills with clients and colleagues and commitment to team approach.
Understanding and delivery of anti-oppressive practices
Experience with harm reduction practices.
Excellent organizational skills.
Able to operate within a flexible work schedule.
Must have a reliable vehicle, valid driving license and appropriate insurance. Mileage is reimbursed.
CPI, Standard First Aid and CPR-C and Vulnerable Screening Clearance (Police Check).

Responsibilities

Schedules and facilitates independent life skill sessions to promote independent living
Works collaboratively with program staff to provide continued support
Conducts goal planning and regular check-ins with individuals
Check-ins and advocate with landlords
Orients individuals to landlord and tenant rights
Provides support with maintaining safe housing and rapid rehousing where needed, including ongoing advocacy with landlords
Supports individuals with career planning, employment searches, and employment skill development
Improve links with employment and health and/or medical resources
Facilitates meetings with family (where the need is identified), with a focus on building self-esteem and supports establishing healthy relationships
Provides individual supports to identify gaps in health and independent living skills including but not limited to landlord tenant negotiation, self-advocacy, budgeting and life skills and providing referrals as necessary
Facilitates informal counselling to promote independence and build healthy partnerships for success.
Triage individuals and households requiring longer-term support to Housing Retention team.
Facilitates food security
Build connections to community resources and help maintain positive partnerships
Provides support to improve financial security through various forms, including ODSP and other subsidies
Keeps up to date with new and current community-based programs and supports
Record keeping, preparing reports and reports on monthly and quarterly statistics
Maintains positive working relationships with landlords and client support systems
Maintain professionalism in the workplace.
Working cooperatively alongside and supporting all Blue Door team members and departments.
Adherence to the mission, vision, policies and procedures of the agency.
Able and willing to promote harm reduction practices in accordance with core standards.
Attend internal staff meetings and staff training as required.
Maintain the confidentiality of all client and agency information.
Utilizes effective conflict resolution skills in accordance with (Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training.
Fosters positive and appropriate relationships with clients, colleagues, community partners and volunteers.
Provides referrals and follow-up as necessary.
Meets with manager on a regular basis and participates in completion of annual performance evaluation.
All employees are responsible for carrying out work in a way that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of that of others.
All employees shall learn and understand health and safety policies and procedures and will comply with them.