Housing Coordinator

at  Klala Lelum

We are seeking an individual who is passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to assist Kilala Lelum Health and Wellness Cooperative in the role of Housing Coordinator. Kilala Lelum aims to provide members (patients) with access to decolonized primary care, Allied Health services, and Elder-led cultural care through an outreach-based, culturally-safe, strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction approach.

JOB SUMMARY:

Taking a housing-first approach, the Housing Coordinator (0.8 FTE) supports the Allied Lead and the Allied Health team in placing members connected to the Social Navigation program in housing and with housing-related services. The Housing Coordinator role is integral in that it helps establish supportive and structured relationships with folks in Vancouver’s DTES in order to improve access to cultural connections and healthcare services.
This role largely focuses on advocating for members and establishing/maintaining public relations within the housing community.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Minimum two (2) years of recent relevant work experience, with strong preference for experience working in housing services and/or with: people affected by houselessness and housing insecurity, women-identifying people who’ve experienced intimate partner violence, people who experience health challenges including chronic disease, substance use, and mental illness. Experience working in the DTES is an asset.
• Strong organizational skills with experience coordinating services and/or care an asset. Demonstrated ability to create a system to manage own schedule and coordinate service delivery to a caseload of 20-30 members.
• Training in de-escalation or non-violent crisis intervention, mental health first aid, vulnerability assessment tool (VAT), and/or a certificate or diploma in a related field (ex: Community Services Worker, Counselling) an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding, commitment, and ability to be culturally safe and culturally appropriate with KL members. Experience and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous culture would be extremely beneficial. Completion of a cultural competency course or willingness to participate required.
• Intermediate computer skills to operate a computerized OSCAR EMR, communicate via email, manage a budget, and submit spending reports.
• Knowledge and experience in trauma-informed and strength-based practice, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented care.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with members.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict, manage aggressive behaviour, and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated team.
• Ability to advocate, set boundaries, and delegate responsibilities.
• Ability to: establish/maintain satisfactory work relationships with the public and other employees; deal tactfully and effectively with co-workers, public, and staff from other agencies; maintain confidentiality; and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Valid BC Driver’s License strongly preferred.

• Manage a caseload of 20-30 members.
• Facilitate weekly housing education sessions in partnership with Kilala Lelum’s Indigenous Wellness Hub.
• Contribute to the process of creating and amending Housing Plans.
• Advocate for members in monthly meetings with BC Housing and maintain/foster ongoing communications with them.
• Develop and maintain a strong relationship network with other supportive housing societies in the community.
• Create housing care plans for members and ensure that they have post-housing needs met.
• Facilitate the use of community services/resources (for example, food sources).
• Assist with coordinating resources and support members in developing and enhancing housing-related skills such as budgeting, cleaning, reducing belongings, and communicating with neighbours and landlords/building managers.
• Delegate tasks to and work closely with Social Navigation Outreach Workers.
• Advocate for members with tenant rights, connect with Tenant Rights and Advisory Centre, and possibly attend court with/act as an advocate for members’ health and psychosocial needs.
• Support members with pest control, storage, and other procedures.
• Accompany and/or transport members for housing-related needs (such as to access temporary accommodation during pest control).
• Communicate and collaborate with Social Navigators and the interprofessional care team at Kilala Lelum.
• Manage the KL storage unit for members’ short-term storage.
• Document work in OSCAR Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Lu’Ma Coordinated Access Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS).
• Manage the budget allocated to this role, maintain receipts, and submit spending reports for relevant expenses.