At House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!
Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It is!
Supportive Housing provides affordable permanent housing for those living on low income who may have experienced homelessness. Program includes on-site supports to maintain independent living. The Housing Support Worker will provide tailored supports that assist participants in working towards individualized goals related to health and housing.

JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Passion to support people living on a low income with support needs including mental health and addiction challenges
• Strong documentation skills
• Ability to manage safety and risk
• De-escalation skills
• Strong understanding of and commitment to harm reduction
• Some knowledge of Motivational Interviewing as well an understanding of mental health challenges would be helpful

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Post-secondary education (min. 2-year college diploma) in a related field of study
• 1-2 years’ experience in case planning/management with individuals and assisting them in developing life skills
• Knowledgeable in Supportive Housing modalities
• Understanding and knowledge of regional community social services and resources
• Experience supporting group activities

CRITICAL SKILLS:

• Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected
• Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required
• Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members
• Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs
• Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery
• Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude
• Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges
• Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping

• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide direct and indirect support to participants, encouraging housing stability and building life skills
• These supports may include: checks, oversight of pest management protocols, community events, cooking, and other supports as necessary
• Develop, contribute to, and carry out individual resident support plans, including any relevant assessment tools
• Work individually with participants to identify and achieve goals as it relates to their individual support needs
• Facilitate case conference, developing safety plans and long/short term support plans
• Responsible for facilitating community inclusion activities
• Participate in Needle Syringe Program
• Connect participants with supportive community resources, including both clinical and informal supports, facilitating case coordination and case management.
• Respond to participant complaints/concerns with care, compassion, and efficiency
• Reinforcing participant’s life skills, including spiritual, social, and coping skills
• Assist with intake and orientation of new participants
• Develop and facilitate relevant group programming
• Complete required documentation in a thorough and timely manner with a focus on maintaining and protecting participant privacy and confidentiality
• Support unit vacancies and turnover
• Follow applicable regulations, policies and procedures
• Work collaboratively with Facilities and landlord, supporting and reporting maintenance needs to ensure upkeep of buildings and participant units
• Complete required safety checks and inspections as assigned
• Attend and participate in all required training to maintain and develop new skills