Housing Support Worker

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Department: Housing

Reports to: Team Leads
Job Classification: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Halifax and Dartmouth, NS

YWCA Halifax is a progressive, multi-service, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people and their families at critical turning points in their lives. We work to transform lives by providing a continuum of services and programs that drive lasting positive change. We strive to change the underlying issues that are root causes of inequality, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Our four program focus areas include: promoting the health, wellness, and leadership of women and girls; advancing women’s economic and housing security; delivering quality, accessible, early learning, and childcare; and working to end violence against women, girls and gender diverse people.

Why work for the YWCA

Staff at YWCA Halifax enjoy a supportive and dynamic team environment, a commitment to staff growth, a connection to the national and international YWCA movements, learning from colleagues in a multiservice agency, and a strong shared vision.

Why YOU should apply

Even if you don’t have all the requirements listed in this position, you may be the right candidate. If you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail and a passion for social justice and gender equity, we want to hear from you. Take a chance and apply. Tell us how you can make a difference through your YWCA.

Program Overview

YWCA Halifax operates a variety of supportive housing programs, including SHYM (Supportive Housing for Young Mothers) and WISH (Women in Supportive Housing). YWCA also operates multiple affordable housing programs, including Waverley, which offers supportive housing to single, unaccompanied women and gender diverse people, aged 19+. The goal of all of YWCA Halifax housing programs is to provide safe, secure, and supported housing to women and gender diverse people who have experienced barriers to stable housing.

Role of the Housing Support Worker

The Housing Support Worker will work to support the daily operations of the YWCA housing programs. The Housing Support Worker will work to ensure the safety and support for residents while on shift. The worker’s role will include providing navigational support, referrals and supportive programming to residents.

Essential Duties of Position:

• Responsible for direct service delivery to residents, this may include: case management, navigation, advocacy, life skills programming, budgeting assistance, system navigation, conflict resolution, general support.
• Assist with eviction prevention, including sorting out arrears, assisting with landlord disputes, etc.
• Awareness of local community resources and agencies to assist in wrap around supports for residents in need.
• Making referrals and assisting with applications to various subsidies, this may include By Name List referrals, housing subsidy applications, and childcare subsidy applications.
• Assist with programming, including meal preparation, recreational activities.
• Daily monitoring of safety and risk management concerns.
• Meet potential participants in the community.
• Accompanying participants to appointments.
• Maintaining daily records and notes.
• Maintaining operational standards.
• Light cleaning to maintain the cleanliness of shared spaces.
• Ensuring the policy and procedural guidelines are followed.
• Advance the mission and vision of the YWCA Halifax.
• For Housing Support Worker positions within our SHYM Housing Programs, child minding will be required.

Qualifications and Requirements

The Housing Support Worker will hold a degree/diploma in social services or related field such as, social work international development studies, sociology, child and youth studies, education, health promotion, or equivalent education and experience. They will have a minimum of 6-12 months’ experience within supportive housing programs within homelessness. The Housing Support Worker will have an understanding of feminist theoretical perspectives and intersectionality. Also, of issues such as racism/colonialism, violence against women, sexualized human trafficking, sexual health, and poverty. They will have knowledge of, and experience with community-based, trauma-informed, harm reduction practices as well as a strong commitment to ongoing learning and development in these areas and experience working in collaborative environments on complex issues involving multiple and diverse stakeholders. There should be a high proficiency in the following:

• Delivery of direct support services
• Collaboration
• Communication, both written and oral
• Interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy
• First Aid/CPR
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, (dis)Ability, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.

If interested, please send your resume and cover letter in one document to humanresources@ywcahalifax.com with the subject line “Housing Support Worker”.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Application question(s):

• Are you legally entitled to work in Canada?

Work Location: In person