Job Posting
Housing Worker
1 year contract
Full time

Unison Health and Community Services is formed by the voluntary merger of New Heights Community Health Centres and York Community Services. Unison’s mission is: working together to deliver accessible and high quality health and community services that are integrated, respond to needs, build on strengths and inspire change.

We are seeking a candidate for the position of Housing Worker. Reporting to the Site Manager, Health Promotion and Community Programs, this position is part of the Housing Help Center Team and responsible for delivering Housing Help Center services, program and projects to targeted groups and communities. The position is responsible for providing housing search, short-term brief case management and support to homeless families and individuals. The position is also required to work with clients who are facing eviction prevention or at risk of eviction. The Housing Worker maintains a client caseload and provides community outreach to clients, tenants and landlords and local agencies.

Job Responsibilities

Case Management and Support
• Provides time limited housing search case management, short-term brief case management and support to clients including assessment, referral, education, budgeting, medication and/or negotiation with landlords or other tenants and follow up
• Ensures accurate housing client records by way of thorough outcome based recording of client encounters
• Sees clients on both a scheduled and urgent basis at the Center and in the community
• Assists clients in applying for and reviewing subsidized housing
• Assists clients in applying for funds and any available financial resources to prevent eviction
• Assists in housing intake whenever necessary
• Provides crises intervention for clients facing housing related crises

Community Outreach
• Develops, implements and delivers comprehensive community outreach work plan including time line and benchmarks
• Proposes, develops and assesses consumer initiated housing help strategies and provides ongoing coordination and support
• Provides outreach and marketing of Housing Help Center services to housing suppliers
• Provides and/or assists in housing and legal system orientation and information to volunteers, agency staff and general public.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post secondary degree or certificate in human services or equivalent in training and experience
• Several years of progressive community outreach experience
• Experience supporting vulnerable, disadvantages and low-income groups
• Experience in basic counseling and crises intervention techniques
• Computer literacy with knowledge of various computer programs
• Thorough knowledge of community resources
• Current knowledge of housing market conditions, legislation and tenant/landlord legal responsibilities
• Knowledge of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program(ODSP) legislation/regulations
• Excellent oral and written English skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated organizational and planning skills
• Excellent interview and assessment skills
• Ability to work effectively with local agencies, landlords and volunteers
• Ability to work within an outcome based program model
• Strong mediation and negotiation skills.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a résumé with covering letter by 5:00 p.m., February 6, 2012 to:
Hiring Committee, Housing Worker
Unison Health and Community Services
12 Flemington Road
Toronto ON M6A 2N4
hirings@unisonhcs.org

We encourage applications from people who are reflective of the diverse communities we serve. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted