Housing Access Worker

About this position

Jessie’s – The June Callwood Centre for Young Women is a pro-choice, multi-serve resource centre for pregnant teenagers, young parents and their children. Jessie’s work includes a broad spectrum of services addressing issues related to the social determinants of health.

We are seeking a skilled individual with knowledge and expertise in housing issues and resources. The Housing Access Worker will be skilled in intercultural dynamics and highly motivated to work flexibly within a drop-in framework within a team approach. Knowledge of immigration issues and experience supporting young people through the settlement process would be a strong asset. . Jessie’s staff and participants (clients) come from diverse cultures and sexual orientations. Having a rich history in working with diverse populations is fundamental to this role
 

Responsibilities:

• Assess the housing needs of young families and to develop and implement individual housing plans in consultation with the service delivery team.
• Assist pregnant and parenting teens and partners with their housing needs including but not limited to: subsidized housing applications, searches, landlord tenant issue, budgeting, etc.
• Raise awareness of housing rights and responsibilities
• Develop and maintain up-to-date information about housing resources and housing related issues.
• Facilitate workshops on housing resources, budgeting, and housing related issues
• Advocate for the housing needs of young families both on an individual basis and on a systemic basis.
• Provide support to tenants in Jessie’s Non-Profit Homes
• Provide support to Jessie’s counselling program by accompanying participants to community appointments as required.
• Act as a resource person to other staff around housing issues
• Document housing needs of families involved with Jessie's and evaluate the impact of Jessie's housing program                                                                                                                  
• Train, support, supervise and evaluate the work of housing placement student(s)

Qualifications:

• Strong counselling & advocacy skills
• Minimum 1 year experience working with youth
• Minimum 1 year experience in social service/counselling related work in the eareas of domestic violence or settlement, or equivalent work experience
• Experience and understanding of housing issues in Toronto
• Knowledge of resources available to young families
• Understanding of issues related to poverty, housing, welfare, discrimination and parenting
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with other agencies
• Proficiency in a second language is an asset

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please, no phone calls.

Jessie's Centre is committed to the principles of employment equity. We strongly encourage applications from women of diverse race and culture groups, aboriginal women, women with ‘dis’abilities, and the LGBTTQQ community.