Housing Representative

1 Temporary Full Time up to 6 months

Human Services – Housing Services

CUPE Local 966- Human Services

Reporting to the Supervisor, Client Services, the Housing Representative is primarily responsible for providing services to individuals and families in need of immediate low acuity housing supports and resources. The Housing Representative provides client advocacy, community resources, referral services, linkage to stable housing and all other services as needed.

The Housing Representative assesses applicants for Housing eligibility in accordance with the Housing Services Act (HSA), and housing and homelessness program guidelines and provides shared multi-sector case management with housing stability.

Responsibilities

Work with the clients to determine and eliminate immediate barriers preventing housing stability, identify risk factors and matches client with appropriate services and programs
Provide navigation and referral services designed to assist clients and their families obtain housing stability
Provide immediate multi-sector and shared case management supports and intervention services that address housing stability and avoid crisis
Identify and facilitate appropriate permanent housing options for a high volume of clients, such as, subsidized housing, emergency, transitional, supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities
Conducting necessary screening, assessment evaluations, case management and navigation services and determine a client’s eligibility to several different housing options and services
Interview and review eligibility criteria to ensure suitable placement and calculation of rent for housing units, preparing and signing rent supplement agreements
Calculate and issue funds based on program eligibility to ensure housing stability (last month rent, calculate rent supplement amounts, issue arrears payments and other benefits for clients)
Develop a plan of intervention with the client that address the immediate need for housing, services, crisis intervention, and continuity of care planning and coordination
Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords, filling out rental applications, search for housing, interpreting leases and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities
Document reasons for housing program ineligibility, advises in writing and makes referrals to other resources or services at Peel or in the community to help clients experiencing hardship
Provide information or advice within the guidelines of an established by-law, or program
Maintain client related data tracking systems, generate client data for monthly reporting
Identifies and sets up payment agreements and repayment contracts with residents who have outstanding arrears or overpayment of subsidy
Responds to and actions all resident complaints as appropriate rent change enquiries, and actions all transfer requests
Processes move out notices from residents.
Updates relevant resident data changes, such as income and family composition, initiated by the annual renewals and/or the resident.
Prepares month end reports as required
Provides supports to Housing clients
Provides life skills assistance
May facilitate groups
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum of college diploma in Human Services field with at least 2 years related experience in the delivery of direct client service in housing and/or homelessness
Experience calculating and issuing funds to clients (e.g. rent)
Knowledge and ability to explain all applicable policies, legislations, acts including but not limited to the Housing Services Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
Specific knowledge of housing and homelessness programs
Strong knowledge of community agencies
Experience working with and ability to display sensitivity towards those with mental health issues, addiction, victims of violence and abuse
Crisis intervention, harm reduction, and client centered care experience is an asset
Good interpersonal skills to communicate with the public, staff, and community supportive agencies
Excellent customer service skills
Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
Able to be tactful, diplomatic and exercise effective decision-making skills
Ability to deal with challenging applicants
Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member
Strong communication skills, speaking, listening and writing clearly and thoroughly
Must maintain and execute confidential information
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other Housing enabling technology

Preference will be given to qualified applicants who are currently in the bargaining unit.

This position is a bargaining unit position represented by CUPE Local 966. Continuous employment is not guaranteed and may be subject to layoffs as outlined in the Collective Agreement Article 15.

Location In this role you will have the ability to work remotely and attend on-site when required based on operational requirements at the 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton worksite. The frequency of on-site activities may vary on a weekly basis and based on operational requirements. Your remote work location must be located within the province of Ontario.

Hours of Work 35 hours/ week

The Region of Peel offers job based flexible hours of work that allows employees to manage personal and professional responsibilities while at the same time ensures business operational needs and customer service expectations are achieved. 

Interview Our recruitment process will be completed with video conference technology.

If this opportunity matches your qualifications and experience, please apply on-line.

As part of the Region’s ongoing commitment to health and safety, there are enhanced Covid-19 specific safety protocols and/or personal protective equipment requirements (e.g. masks, eye protection, etc.) in place to help protect health and safety. The additional requirements are determined based on the nature of the work being carried out.

New employees who commence employment on or after October 1, 2021 are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated is determined as the status of having received the full series of approved vaccines (both doses of a two dose vaccine series, one dose of a single dose vaccine series) and any additional doses required and approved by Health Canada and having satisfied the full post vaccination period required to ensure vaccination efficacy. The Region of Peel reserves the right to request proof of vaccination at any time. Acceptable proof includes an Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccine receipt which you can obtain through the Provincial portal https//covid19.ontariohealth.ca/, or other government-issued vaccine passport or certification.

The requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you are not fully vaccinated, a documented medical reason provided by a physician or registered nurse and time period for the medical reason may be accepted.

The Region of Peel serves more than 1.4 million residents and approximately 173,000 businesses in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. We deliver a wide range of resident focused services across the Region.

Our 20-year vision for Peel is “Community for Life.” Our goal is to create a place where everyone enjoys a sense of belonging and has access to the services and opportunities needed to thrive in each stage of their lives. Our 2015-2035 Strategic Plan outlines the work we’re focused on to bring this vision to life.

To learn more about the Region of Peel, explore peelregion.ca.

The Region of Peel is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued for their contributions, and where everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity to grow and develop. As one of the most diverse regions in Canada, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the population we serve.

The Region of Peel is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request. If you require accommodation please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available. Please contact [email protected]. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please be advised, the Region of Peel uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job competitions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e. testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the position and your application will be removed from the competition.