Housing Support Worker

Houselink and Mainstay Community Housing (HLMS) is Toronto’s largest non-profit supportive housing provider. Our organization is the result of a recent amalgamation between the former Houselink Community Homes and Mainstay Housing .

As a joined organization, w e currently manage nearly 53 residential locations and more than 1,100 units across the City of Toronto, serving individuals with complex mental illness and addictions.

We work closely with sector partners to deliver programs and advocate for solutions that will address homelessness. Our work is rooted in the understanding that housing is a human right and plays a vital role in health and well-being.

We are proud to lead the affordable housing sector in building strong, inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Housing Support Worker Full Time Permanent 1 Position 35 hours weekly $30.20 Hourly Bargaining Unit Position Position Responsibilities : OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Individual Support Assess tenants’ needs and provide coaching and practical support or refer to services to fulfil unmet needs.

Provide informal counseling on mental health and / or addiction, interpersonal relationships, life skills, food security, and meaningful activities using non-judgmental, recovery, and harm reduction approaches.

Provide warm referrals to other community services and / or health services and collaborate with these service providers.

Provide advocacy services to tenants for their service or benefits rights. Support families or refer to services regarding interpersonal relationships, childcare, education, Children’s Aid Society involvement, and family court issues.

Prevent and de-escalate crises. Contact tenants regularly and promote their wellness and safety including wellness checks.

Collaborate with partner service providers and coordinate care and system navigation for housing stability. Work in coordination and collaboration with other departments (Property Services and Finance).

Provide after-hours support services to tenants on a rotational basis. Encourage independent self-reliance of tenants through referral to services and resources in the community.

Tenancy Support Facilitate rollover of housing units and prepare basic furniture. Facilitate unit viewing and / or interviews.

Orient and welcome new tenants to their unit, building community, and services. Advise / educate tenants of their rights and responsibilities.

Using mental health recovery principles, collaboratively develop with tenants’ individualized action plan. Collect income verification documentation and assist tenants to complete their income verification forms.

Remind tenants to report changes in their household composition or family income. Encourage tenants to participate in committees and the larger community.

Provide eviction prevention informal counseling, coaching, and / or practical support to address rent arrears, behaviour, fire safety, illegal behaviours, and unit condition issues including hoarding and pest infestation.

Inspect housing units and safety equipment annually or more frequently if there are unit condition issues. Issue warning letters to address tenancy issues that may lead to eviction.

Act as agent of the landlord, make and implement rent or behavioural agreements with tenants and monitor them. Appear as a representative of the landlord and a witness at Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board hearings.

Provide shelter or alternative housing information to tenants being evicted. Educate tenants on the move out process and inspect units prior to tenants’ moving out.

Liaise with external landlords on advocacy, maintenance, and support around tenancy issues. Community Development Organize and facilitate group activities and community events, such as building meetings, life skills programs, meal programs, social recreation programs, and organizational events.

Encourage tenants to improve overall building environments such as cleanliness, prevention of trespassers, personal safety concerns, noise reduction, fire safety, and physical appearance.

Inform tenants and encourage their participation in organizational and community activities. Identify and encourage tenants to pursue leadership opportunities.

Encourage tenants to become members of the organization. Administration Write notes and incident reports for tenants into Information Software Databases (Treat & Yardi) Maintain necessary documentation for tenancy management and workplace inspections.

Facilitate and document monthly tenant meetings. Maintain confidentiality and obtain consents when sharing information except in emergency situations.

Maintain accurate records of cash advances. Work Conditions Exposure to household pests and smoking environments. Bodily fluids, individuals experiencing crisis, individuals who may be under influence of substance.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Model the organizational values, policies, and professional ethics and demonstrate commitment to the strategic direction.

Demonstrate active support for organizational direction and priorities in own actions. Proactively engage in program and organizational change activities.

Model and promote a culture where everyone is accountable for making sure decisions and goals are met and projects / tasks are completed.

Identify and remove barriers to service excellence. Demonstrate personal commitment and culture to wellness. Participate in a work culture of positive thinking, initiative and creativity.

Commitment to improve professional knowledge to recognize trends and issues and deal with them effectively. Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with allied community agencies and professionals and participate in community committees and internal HLMS committees as required.

Comply with the policies of HLMS including those pertaining to the confidentiality of client information. Represent the agency in a positive manner with clients, colleagues and the community at large.

Attend regular supervision meetings with the Support Manager for the purpose of reviewing work expectations and performance evaluation.

COMPETENCIES An undergraduate degree in Social Work, Social Services, or related fields. Minimum 3 years’ experience in serving people living in poverty who have experienced homelessness and / or are precariously housed and have mental health and / or addiction issues.

Excellent communication (listening, verbal, and written), interpersonal, problem solving, life skills coaching, budgeting, conflict resolution, and crisis prevention / intervention skills.

Knowledge of Mental Health Recovery Approach, Harm Reduction principles, Residential Tenancies Act, Mental Health Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Personal Health Information Protection Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Knowledge and experience working with individuals facing multiple barriers and with diverse communities. Strong cultural competency and socially inclusive practices.

Ability to work independently and in a team environment. Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals.

Ability to travel to housing sites and community service providers’ facilities. Have an eye for cleanliness and ability to perform light housekeeping duties.

Ability to lift, move, and store objects up to 20lbs. Competent with Microsoft Outlook, Word, & PowerPoint, virtual meeting platforms, and online information searches.

Knowledge in Rent-Geared-to-Income Rent Administration, Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN), are assets. Be available to work in the evenings and weekends.

Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings or occasional weekends. This is a position inside the bargaining unit, governed by the terms of a collective agreement.

The annual rate of pay is $54,963.27. Please apply online with a cover letter and resume by May 9, 2024, 5 : 00 p.m. to https : / / www.

hlms.ca / careers / HLMS has an equity hiring policy and is committed to providing an inclusive selection process. Applications are encouraged from people with lived experience of mental health challenges and other equity seeking groups.

HLMS will provide accommodation, upon request, to ensure a fair and equitable process . Thank you for considering a career with HLMS.

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