Housing Legal Advocate - Hamilton, Canada - Good Shepherd Centres

Good Shepherd Centres

Verified Company

Hamilton, Canada

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

HOUSING LEGAL ADVOCATE

If you are looking for a career working with amazing people while helping your community thrive, then this opportunity is for you and we want to hear from you.

We urge individuals that have retired, semi-retired, are returning to the workforce, those that are new to Canada, and recent graduates to also apply.

At Good Shepherd, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, equal and authentic workplace.

About Good Shepherd

The work of Good Shepherd is based on a fundamental belief in providing hope and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable members of our community.

Our services include emergency food and clothing; daily hot meals; emergency shelters for men, youth, families, women and children; transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth; hospice palliative care; community mental health programs; and supportive housing programs.

This opportunity is with our Good Shepherd Centres - Reaching Home Division.

Why Work with Good Shepherd?

Be a part of a caring
TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY:
POSITIVE and
ENCOURAGING atmosphere
Dental Care
Disability Insurance

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EMPLOYEE AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

Extended Health Care
Life Insurance
Sick Leave
RRSP match
Out of Country Travel Insurance
Vision Care
Wellness Program
Make a difference and provide
HOPE:
3 weeks' vacation (after mandatory completion of waiting period)

Rooted in Hospitality and guided by Good Shepherd's Mission Values of Availability, Adaptability, Quality, Dignity, and Responsibility, the Housing Legal Advocate will provide targeted supports in an effort to increase housing stability and prevent future housing loss to all individuals enrolled in Reaching Home programs.

Work takes place in the community and in the office.

The Housing Legal Advocate will visit apartment buildings, meet with landlords in their offices, attend appointments at the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, and will attend Landlord Tenant Board Hearings.

Must be willing and able to assist in a hands-on capacity with a family's housing plan. Must be comfortable with advocacy and building partnerships with community landlords.

Work collaboratively with case managers to identify individuals and families at risk of eviction or housing loss
Provide direct accompaniment, guidance, advocacy, and emotional support to service users attending Landlord Tenant Board Hearings
Help service users prepare for hearings, access legal services, and create a plan to avoid eviction
Build and maintain partnerships with local private and nonprofit housing providers
Liaise and collaborate with the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic to ensure service users have access to legal advice & services and follow through on lawyer's requests
Debrief and discuss court outcomes, lawyer appointments, consultations with duty counsel and next steps
Resolve issues with landlords and tenants as they arise in the tenancy with advocacy, education, mediation including rights and responsibilities
Attend community events related to housing and stay up to date with community housing resources
Facilitate educational groups for program staff and service users
Remain current on issues related but not limited to the Residential Tenancies Act, Landlord and Tenant Board, Ontario Human Rights Code, Family Law Act, Federal Divorce Act, Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and other aspects of the legal system as it relates to housing barriers and challenges
Attend weekly case conferences to share housing information and resources with case managers

Qualifications

Minimum 2year related experience or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
A Bachelor's Degree in a related field or diploma in paralegal practice is required
A solid understanding and utilization of persondirected, antioppression/antiracism, and feminist frameworks with a thorough understanding of a range of issues impacting families and women including homelessness, woman abuse, child witnessing, poverty, mental health and substance use/abuse
Fluency in a 2ndlanguage is an asset
CPR certification or willingness to be certified is required
Valid G license required

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Hours of work: Shifts are Day shifts (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and one evening shift (11 a.m. - 7 p.m.) per week. Shifts are scheduled Monday to Friday. Some flexibility in work hours may be required.

Don't Meet Every Requirement?

How Can I Apply?

Our Values
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Hospitality_, as inspired by St. John of God is at the heart of Good Shepherd's mission. This means that we welcome all people with compassion, acceptance and a spirit of generosity; creating opportunities for transformation.

Hospitality embodies our
Values of:
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Responsibility:

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Availability:

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Adaptability:

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Quality:

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Dignity