Housing Representative Jobs

Human Services – Housing Services

CUPE LOCAL 966

Status

• 2 Contract Full-time up to 12 months

Salary Range $66,898.00- $79,853.00/year

Work mode Remote *see below for more details about this work mode.

Location 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton

Hours of work 35 hour/week

Who we are Housing Services leads service system planning and management of housing and homelessness programs and services with a view to policy and service integration. Helps improve these services through effective planning, based on local information and research about the needs of Peel’s many different communities.

“Housing Services is passionately committed to ensuring stable, affordable, appropriate housing and supports in Peel. We manage a collaborative system of care focused on delivering services with compassion and respect in a way that preserves dignity.”

The Role The Housing Representative is primarily responsible for providing services to individuals and families in need of immediate low acuity housing supports and resources. They provide client advocacy, community resources, referral services, linkage to stable housing and all other services as needed. They also 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.

What you will do in this role

• 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
• Provides supports to Housing clients
• Processes move out notices from residents.
• 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)
• Work with the clients to determine and eliminate immediate barriers preventing housing stability, identify risk factors and matches client with appropriate services and programs
• 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
• 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
• Provide navigation and referral services designed to assist clients and their families obtain housing stability
• Identifies and sets up payment agreements and repayment contracts with residents who have outstanding arrears or overpayment of subsidy
• Prepares month end reports as required
• 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
• Provides life skills assistance
• Updates relevant resident data changes, such as income and family composition, initiated by the annual renewals and/or the resident.
• Other duties as assigned
• Conducting necessary screening, assessment evaluations, case management and navigation services and determine a client’s eligibility to several different housing options and services
• Maintain client related data tracking systems, generate client data for monthly reporting
• Provide immediate multi-sector and shared case management supports and intervention services that address housing stability and avoid crisis
• Interview and review eligibility criteria to ensure suitable placement and calculation of rent for housing units, preparing and signing rent supplement agreements
• Responds to and actions all resident complaints as appropriate rent change enquiries, and actions all transfer requests
• May facilitate groups
• Provide information or advice within the guidelines of an established by-law, or program

What the role requires

• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills, speaking, listening and writing clearly and thoroughly
• Crisis intervention, harm reduction, and client centered care experience is an asset
• Able to be tactful, diplomatic and exercise effective decision-making skills
• Experience calculating and issuing funds to clients (e.g. rent)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other Housing enabling technology
• Must maintain and execute confidential information
• Specific knowledge of housing and homelessness programs
• Strong knowledge of community agencies
• Ability to deal with challenging applicants
• 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
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member
• Experience working with and ability to display sensitivity towards those with mental health issues, addiction, victims of violence and abuse
• Excellent customer service skills
• 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)
• Good interpersonal skills to communicate with the public, staff, and community supportive agencies

Perks @ Peel and why you will love working for us

• Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan (where applicable)
• Supportive leadership and a culture of respect and inclusion

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.

• Work Mode 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 worksite and other Community Sites. 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.

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.

You may have seen or heard Peel Region’s presence in the media surrounding the announcement and tabled legislation by the Ford government regarding the structure of our municipal government. At Peel Region, we value being open and transparent with our community, and want to ensure you are informed and up to date. Regardless of governance models that support the residents of Peel, skilled and qualified talent is, and will be, needed to deliver services to the community that we serve. Peel Region remains committed to working with all partners, providing information to inform decisions. For additional information and latest updates about the governance announcement, please visit our News Release webpage.

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.

Peel Region consists of the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and the town of Caledon. The Region of Peel delivers essential services to more than 1.5 million residents and approximately 175,000 businesses.

We’re working to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and accessible. A place where everyone feels they belong and can access the services they need to thrive throughout each stage of life.

Our workforce is 6,500 strong and since 1974, we’ve been delivering a wide range of resident focused services. Our services include paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, waste water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial assistance, and housing support.

Recognized by Canada's Healthy Workplace Month® with the Great Employer Award presented by Excellence Canada, the Region of Peel is a place where everyone feels they belong. We strive to develop a workplace that values and respects diversity, practices inclusion, recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all people and facilitates innovative thinking. At Region of Peel, people come first. Each employee has an important role within our community and when we work together, it’s impactful. We encourage you to join us in delivering essential services and programs to our diverse community. You won't find a better opportunity than the Region of Peel.

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].

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.