Job Title: Housing Access Worker
Status: Full Time, Permanent
Location: 300 Shaw Street
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Department: Service Excellence & Innovation
Supervisor: Director, Transitions & Community Partnerships
The Role:
Bellwoods is seeking a Housing Access Worker to join our Service Excellence & Innovation team, reporting directly to the Director, Transitions & Community Partnerships. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. The ideal candidate has an appreciation of accuracy and superior written and verbal communication skills. The Housing Access Worker will be responsible for facilitating the finding and securing of appropriate housing opportunities for HLS program participants.
The Housing Access Worker will be joining an already established multidisciplinary team focused on transitioning clients from homelessness, hospital/reintegration care units with no discharge destination or precarious/temporary housing to permanent, sustainable housing options, while also providing them with the tools to maintain that housing (budgeting, relationship building) and work on stabilizing health, improving social connections and helping them focus on other goals such as volunteerism, education and/or employment.
Responsibilities:

• Working with the successful program candidates and their support network on developing a client specific action plan for searching for and securing sustainable housing in the city of Toronto and surrounding area
• Under the direction of the Community Transitions Coordinator, carrying out activities directly with clients to support the achievement of their housing goals. This includes completing referrals and connect clients to supports that that empower them to move beyond vulnerability and marginalization into sustainable, long-term living situations that support the client’s ability to be self-sufficient in the community.
• Developing a strong working relationship and evolving a network/resource list with housing community partners including: housing support agencies; landlords; boarding home providers; support agencies; supportive housing programs; ODSP; etc.
• May include a strong advocacy role with landlords on behalf of clients.
• Clear and accurate documentation of all activities in the client chart
• Performing administrative duties such as preparation of reports, committee participation and providing input into policy and procedure development.
• Participation in program development including updating and evaluating of tools (forms, computer programs) that facilitate the work, as appropriate

Requirements:

• Bellwoods is a service provider covered under the Home Care and Community Services Act. The successful applicant is required to provide proof of the two dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending orientation. Failure to provide this proof prior to attending orientation will result in rescindment of an offer of employment.
• Successful candidate cannot have an immediate family member also be permanently assigned to work at the same physical location or report to a family member as their immediate Supervisor.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Bachelor degree or diploma in social services or related field
• A member in good standing with applicable regulatory body.
• Two (2) years of experience
• Strong communication skills including advocacy and negotiation required.
• Experience with developing a therapeutic relationship, and an ability to come to agreement with clients on goals/priorities while respecting their autonomy is an asset
• Excellent administrative, documentation, and computer skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary team, multitask and set priorities
• Ability to travel to multiple work/assessment sites is essential
• Experience in providing housing help and/or information and referral services in the housing field
• Experience working with homeless/street involved individuals, psychiatric survivors, tenants, and landlords.
• Creative and willing to explore unique solutions to meet diverse client needs
• Experience with person-directed planning, goal development and implementation of goal directed plans is required.
• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of working with diverse communities is required.
• Knowledge of resources for vulnerable, homeless, and low-income singles and families.
• Knowledge of issues and barriers faced by vulnerable, homeless, and low-income singles and families with demonstrated problem solving and facilitation to create teams around individuals
• Excellent understanding of Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Social Determinants of Health models
• Demonstrated understanding and support of the organization’s goals and objectives consistent with our client centred philosophy towards independent living

Bellwoods is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment practices for applicants with accessibility needs in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA). Reasonable accommodations are available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $49,333.00-$58,906.00 per year
Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person