**This is a full-time, union contract position scheduled to work 35 hours per week.**
DUTIES
- Assists clients to find, stabilize and maintain their housing through Housing Access, Housing Stabilization and Eviction Prevention utilizing the Housing First service delivery model.
- Conducts intakes and needs assessments.
- Assists clients with housing applications (The Access to Housing, Special Priority applications for victims of domestic violence, Access Point, co-ops and market rent units).
- Completes and submits financial support applications: LEAP, OESP.
- Provides case management services and crisis intervention.
- Provides information and refers clients to appropriate services or programs.
- Educates clients on housing options and housing related issues including landlord / tenant rights and responsibilities.
- Maintains program files, statistical information and evaluation data: prepares narrative and statistical service reports as needed.
- Advocates on behalf of clients with landlords, OW, ODSP and other services.
- Records client and service data in CIS, the agency database.
- Records LEAP client and service data in the LEAP Portal.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent with relevant practicum experience.
- Minimum of one (1) year experience working within the Housing Help Sector utilizing the Housing First model of service.
- Demonstrated experience in housing search, housing applications, and connecting with landlords.
- Demonstrated experience of completing financial housing support applications (HSF, OESP, LEAP)
- Demonstrated knowledge of eviction prevention, housing access, housing stabilization and special priority housing applications.
- Demonstrated ability to provide case management to homeless or at risk of homelessness marginalized clients with complex needs who live with the impact of poverty, mental illness and substance use.
- Strong skills in landlord recruitment and mediation, and client advocacy.
- Strong understanding of market rent and subsidized housing systems and policies.
- Excellent understanding of eviction prevention within the context of the Residential Tenancy Act.
- Knowledge of specific issues facing refugees and immigrants, race relations, gender, abuse survivors and mental health.
- Knowledge of settlement and housing related services and resources, with an emphasis on the services and resources that exist within the Greater Toronto Area.
- Knowledge of Internet, Email and Windows software e.g. Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrated experience in data-entry, documentation and reporting.
- Excellent communication, organization and coordination skills.
- Must be willing to work flexible hours including some evenings.
- Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.
- Fluency in second language will be considered an asset.
- Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or exempt from vaccination on human rights grounds. COSTI reserves the right to require information establishing the validity of the exemption.