Awake Overnight Housing Support Worker

Employment Type: Full‑Time, Permanent

Work Hours: 35 hours per week (Thursdays and Fridays 9pm–9am, Saturdays 9pm–8am)

Salary: $57,888 annually (Level
6), plus comprehensive benefits

Location: 389 Church Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 2E5

Internal Final date to receive applications: Monday, July 06, 2026

External Final date to receive applications: Wednesday, July 08, 2026

Join YWCA Toronto, where intersectional feminism, community voices and social justice drive lasting change. We welcome women and gender diverse people of all identities into a workplace rooted in equity, collaboration and inclusion.

The Overnight Housing Support Worker (HSW) is responsible for supporting tenancy through eviction prevention activities in a complex permanent housing environment, developing and implementing community safety initiatives and offering a range of services and supports to tenants through a trauma‑informed, harm reduction and anti‑oppression (AOP) lens that meets the wellness needs of the tenant community.

With in‑depth knowledge in trauma supports, this role performs a variety of functions to support the health and safety, social and mental well‑being of tenants onsite, and facilitates in partnership with security personnel the overall effective operation of the building overnight. The HSW role acts as a resource to staff and tenants and is responsible for providing a full range of services which include mental health and addiction supports, monitoring the activities of tenants and visitors, assessing and responding to potential crisis situations, maintaining building common areas and supervising the property.

• Use effective eviction prevention measures to assist tenants to assume and maintain their tenancy obligations;
• Provide crisis prevention, intervention and counseling for women and children and gender‑diverse people to respond to crisis in ways that support individual and community well‑being;
• Monitor and update caseworkers on tenants’ health and well‑being;
• Model and coach tenants to use conflict resolution and mediation skills to support positive relations between tenants;
• Provide case management follow‑up supports and referrals in health and wellness, harm reduction, counseling, income and food security;
• Conduct health and safety assessments and identify tenants’ issues/resources;
• Demonstrate and maintain knowledge of relevant legislation regarding housing services, child welfare, dynamics of gender violence, substance use and mental health, and effective support strategies;
• Apply trauma‑informed practice knowledge, stay current and demonstrate skill in the area of trauma support and act as a resource to security staff and tenants during the overnight;
• Work with the Manager, participate in the team as a specialist in innovative community development and capacity building with marginalised and mixed communities;
• Ensure accurate, timely documentation of program and tenant support initiatives.

• General knowledge of an academic or technical discipline normally acquired through completion of an undergraduate degree (example: Bachelor of Social Work) (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
• 1–3 years directly related experience working in a housing/shelter setting in a direct service setting with children, youth and adults who experience impacts of poverty, homelessness/violence/trauma, mental health/addictions or concurrent disorders;
• Excellent crisis intervention and conflict mediation skills, with ability to remain calm in crisis;
• Proven experience working independently, developing and facilitating groups;
• Demonstrated experience cultivating leadership within groups and developing dynamic and innovative programming;
• Supportive counseling and group‑work approach that is flexible, client‑centred and strengths‑based;
• Working knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice;
• Knowledge of community resources and supports focused on trauma;
• Working knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Housing Services Act and Ontario Human Rights Code;
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services;
• Strong knowledge and understanding of…