Housing Specialist - U

Overview

Who We Are
The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda for more than 130 years. We help more than 2 million people each year with necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. We support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We strive to 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.

Mission Statement
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.

Objective
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.

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 that contribute to successfully getting housed and/or staying housed.

Working Relationship(s)

• Reports to Program Services Director

Responsibilities And Activities

Program

• Research, compile and maintain housing options, document acceptance criteria and procedures
• Liaise with and maintain regular 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
• Work with Participants to ensure they understand and fulfill their responsibilities for property upkeep such as cleanliness, safety issues, and proper garbage disposal
• Assist Participants in meeting their financial obligations regarding rent and bill payments (budgeting) by defining individual responsibilities; resolving financial disputes and other related 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; e.g., items blocking means of egress or unsafe use of open flames, stoves or heaters
• Meet with participants and/or partner agency Case Managers to provide guidance and information regarding all available housing options
• Assist participants with applications for social assistance and liaising with Ontario Works/ODSP/Rent Geared to Income Housing
• On an ongoing basis assist participants with social and required life skills to secure and maintain affordable housing (one-on-one or within a group setting)
• Help participants re-establish themselves in the community
• Landlord mediation
• Crisis intervention
• Provide rapid rehousing support with housed participant as needed
• Perform any other related duties as requested by Program

Administrative

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