ZT: Toronto Community Housing Corporation

[Nancy]

Toronto Community Housing Corporation



Housing Social Worker
Position Type: Full Time Date Ad Posted: 4/8/2009
Job Region: ON - Metro Toronto Area Application Deadline: 4/22/2009
Location(s): Toronto

POSITION: Housing Social Worker
(CUPE Local 79)

PERMANENT OPPORTUNITY

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST WILL BE CREATED OUT OF THIS COMPETITION AND WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS FOR FUTURE TEMPORARY AND/OR PERMANENT PLACEMENTS.

DIVISION: Housing Connections
UNIT: Client Services


POSITION SUMMARY

Access Housing Connections Inc. (Housing Connections) is a wholly owned subsidiary of TCHC. Housing Connections manages the centralized waiting list for social housing in Toronto working with approximately 66,000 eligible households and 220 participating non-profit and co-operative housing providers. The second major business of Housing Connections is Housing Program Administration including administration of 3,000 private sector rent supplements under various programs with 130 landlords in Toronto.

Housing Connections requires a permanent Housing Social Worker to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the Client Services Unit, as part of the Special Needs team. Your key responsible is to assess clients to ensure that they are eligible for the Special Priority waiting list.


Responsibilities:
# • Assesses the eligibility of clients for the Special Priority program for victims of violence, terminal illness and modified unit.
# • Manages the client’s files by monitoring, maintaining and up-dating the file as information is forwarded to Housing Connections.
# • Responsible for the case management of client’s files.
# • Identifies alternative courses of action and recommends the most appropriate services which meet the client’s needs.
# • Liaises with community agencies, shelters and other social housing providers where appropriate.
# • Develops and maintains effective partnerships with other Violence Against Women programs, community-based and ethno-specific agencies, Community Health Centers, Public Institutions, and other organizations that work with our client base.
# • Represents Housing Connections on Boards or Committees of the Community Agencies.
# • Initiates and attends case conferences and inter-agency meetings.
# • Maintains up-to-date knowledge and develosp a critical analysis of all development and changes in legislation, programs, services and issues and their impact on the client group.
# • Acts as a resource person to staff, housing providers and community organizations.
# • Conducts presentations and facilitates training workshops and information sessions, informing clients and agency staff about Housing policies and procedures.
#


Qualifications:
# • Minimum of three (3) years experience working with abused women, homeless community, low-income community, or a combination of other related work areas.
# • Working experience and knowledge of violence against women and children, informal counselling techniques, group work, anti-racist social work practices, crises intervention, mental health, cognitive impairment and community development.
# • Experience in the field of social housing or related social agencies, with a thorough working knowledge of the functions and activities of social agencies and associated community resources.
# • Ability to troubleshoot and advise clients of policies and procedures in accordance with Social Housing Reform Act, Regulation 298/1, Occupancy Standards and the Tenant Protection Act.
# • Experience working with marginalized communities and the ability to work with a racially and culturally diverse population of people in a helping relationship.
# • Ability to conduct interviews in person or by telephone.
# • Knowledge of crisis intervention and prevention tools.
# • Ability to assess and assist clients in regards to their complex needs.
# • A thorough working knowledge of applicable legislation and the impact that these various legislations’ have on Housing Connections service delivery.
# • Skills and knowledge on how service delivery is offered with an anti-racism/anti-oppression analysis that encompasses a feminist analysis.
# • Ability to effectively prepare, document, and present case history.
# • Ability to develop, foster and maintain effective community partnerships.
# • Ability to work with and within Special Needs teams and with community partners.
# • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
# • Knowledge of community resources.
# • Excellent oral and written communication skills
# • Ability to use a personal computer utilizing various software packages.
# Housing Connections is committed to equity in employment. Our goal is a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from women and men, people from racialized communities, visible minorities, persons with disabilities and aboriginal persons.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to:
human.resources@torontohousing.ca

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Compensation Type: Hourly Contact by: Email, Fax, Mail
Amount: $28.53 – $31.25 (35 hours/week) Applicant should quote Job# TCHC#09HCE17


Job Contact Information
Natalie Patel
Toronto Community Housing Corporation
931 Yonge Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M4W 2H2

Fax: (416) 981-4260
Email: Human.Resources@torontohousing.ca
For more information visit: http://www.torontohousing.ca