Housing Specialist

Overview

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter.

In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Objective The Housing Specialist role assists chronically homeless individuals and families to obtain and maintain appropriate accommodation and provides ongoing housing-based case management (CTI) through telephone and/or home visits. Housing Specialists procure housing through landlord engagement and connect chronically homeless individuals and families with prescreened housing choices and landlords that enable housing stability. Housing Retention supports include housing searches, transportation, viewing, application assistance, housing income supports, warm transfer referrals, landlord-tenant act training, eviction prevention supports, rapid rehousing and housing-based time-limited critical time intervention case management to help clients get housed and stay housed.

• Assist chronically homeless individuals and families to obtain and maintain appropriate accommodation and provide ongoing housing-based case management (CTI) through telephone and/or home visits.
• Research, compile and maintain housing options, document acceptance criteria and procedures.
• Liaise with and make regular, ongoing contact with landlords concerning possible vacancies.
• Provide statistical reports of number of apartment searches, placements, etc.
• Create Housing Map of Pro Housing First Landlords in York Region.
• Create Service Agreements with landlords.
• Facilitate housing assessment specific to participant to provide the most appropriate support/housing options.
• Assist participants with obtaining and maintaining suitable housing and provide advocacy as needed.
• Assist participants to acquire household furnishings when moving into the community and secure Start-up Funds as available or required.
• Provide time-limited housing-based Critical Time Intervention (CTI) case management.
• Ensure participants understand and fulfill responsibilities for property upkeep such as cleanliness, safety issues, and proper garbage disposal.
• Assist participants in meeting financial obligations re: rent and bill payments (budgeting), define individual responsibilities, resolve financial disputes and other financial responsibilities.
• Provide housing support, advocacy, and referrals to chronically homeless participants in Durham Region.
• Process applications and documents for participants living in the community.
• Identify and eliminate fire hazards and unsafe conditions (e.g., items blocking means of egress, open flames, etc.).
• Meet with participants and/or partner agency Case Managers to discuss all available housing options.
• Assist participants with applications for social assistance and liaise with Ontario Works/ODSP/Rent Geared to Income Housing.
• Assist participants with life skills to secure and maintain affordable housing (one-on-one or group).
• Help participants re-establish themselves in the community.
• Landlord mediation and crisis intervention; provide rapid rehousing support as needed.
• Perform other related duties as requested by Program.

• Prepare case notes (throughout each working day) and share them via HIFIS to relevant individuals involved in the participant’s circle of care while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ensure privacy and confidentiality of participants is maintained within established standards, policy and procedure.
• Work as a member of the team to operate the program efficiently and ensure other staff’s…