Housing Preparation and Support Worker - Toronto, Canada - Dixon Hall

Dixon Hall

Verified Company

Toronto, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Employment Type:
Full-Time (Permanent)

Department:
Housing Services

Union:
Included (CUPE)

Salary:
Level 3 - $26.42/hr

File #: 23-HHS OPEN)

Posting Date:
November 14, 2023

Posting Close:
November 28, 2023

Dixon Hall is a multi-service agency located in the heart of east downtown Toronto committed to realizing the vision of a city where everyone thrives. Since 1929, we have been touching the lives of thousands of our community's most vulnerable residents by providing a range of programs and services across every stage of life. We create lasting solutions to end poverty, social injustices, and isolation in Toronto. We value respect, diversity, integrity, care, compassion, and accountability.

Reporting to the Manager, Housing Services, or such other persons as deemed necessary by the agency, the Housing Preparation and Support Worker works to assess and identify clients for long term housing through counselling, referral and outreach.

Once clients have been housed, the Housing Preparation and Support Worker continues to provide housing access, support and follow up services with a focus on the long-term success of the client in their housing.

Duties & Responsibilities

Housing Support

Arrange and maintain regular and intermittent times for home visits with tenants.
Support the tenants in maintaining their housing.
Make referrals to appropriate services.
Accompany clients to appointments if necessary.
Liaise between property managers and tenants.
Advocate on behalf of tenants.
Educate tenants on their responsibilities and rights.
Hold house meetings as required.
Case conference with hospitals, doctors, other support agencies etc.
Reassess housing support needs as required.

Housing Occupancy

Develop working relationships with public and private landlords to facilitate housing access.
Engage in individualized housing searches with clients who are prepared to access permanent housing.
Facilitate housing preparation for the purpose of moving clients into the position of being potential tenants, in collaboration with the other Housing Preparation/Support Workers from the Agency.
Arrange steps for potential residents to move into housing (i.e. income verification, contact with property management, financial arrangement regarding rent, trusteeship etc.).

Housing Preparation, Assessment and Identification for Housing

Implement housing preparation plans with clients (i.e. I.D., taxes, income supports, etc.).
Provide crisis counseling and emotional support to proposed residents.
Provide referrals to appropriate services.
In collaboration with other Dixon Hall Housing Services staff, assess and identify all potential housing needs of the shelter residents and the readiness for permanent housing of those residents.
Assess and triage clients to the appropriate level of housing support.
Work with potential residents to identify their housing support needs; determine how those support services will be delivered.

Additional Client Support

Assist clients with interpersonal skills, selfreliance, community building and other skills required for successful maintenance of housing via communal programming and oneonone support.
Plan and implement special events for residents of housing programs.
Share responsibility with fellow staff members to ensure that the Homeless, Hostels and Housing department office is staffed.
Provide individual support/counselling.
Mediate conflicts that develop between clients and other significant people who surround them.

Administrative/Liaison

Maintain appropriate information for statistics and files.
Maintain client files.
Attend department team and agency staff meetings.
Provide letters for clients.
Escort clients to hospitals, doctors, court, etc.
Arrange funerals, notify families, liaise with police, etc., as required.

This job description does not represent a complete account of the duties and responsibilities of the job but rather a summary of those duties and responsibilities in effect at the time of writing.

The role and its responsibilities will evolve as the Agency grows and develops to meet community and client needs. Future responsibilities will include such duties as assigned in keeping with the developing nature of the job.

Qualifications

Previous experience (one year or more) working in a shelter and/or housing environment.
Previous experience (one year or more) assisting clients access and maintain housing.
Postsecondary education in a relevant field (i.e. certificate, degree, or diploma in social services) preferred.
Practical knowledge of crisis intervention, conflict resolution, counseling, harm reduction, community service agencies, and the homeless population gained through either experience or education/training.
Demonstrated ability to use sound judgement, perform job duties with mínimal supervision, and problem solve.
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