SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WORKER

Adams House

One (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time Position

Existing Vacancy

Sunday-Thursday 1:00pm-9:00pm 

Compensation: $24.54/hour-$28.54/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness.  These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services.  A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at  https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting.  If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values of Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you

Role Overview

The Supportive Housing Worker supports tenants to maintain their housing, develop independent living skills, achieve mental health stability and pursue personal recovery. Staff strive to encourage tenant participation in the development of short- and long-term goals, community development strategies, using a facilitative management approach to promote independent living and the safety and enjoyment of their housing. The supportive Housing requires respect for, and expertise working with, tenants who are facing varying degrees of mental and physical health, active substance use, trauma and social isolation and who come from racially and ethnically diverse. 

About the Team

Adams House Provides rent subsidized accommodation and support men and women 16 years of age or older, living with serious mental illness who are homeless, or at significant risk of becoming homeless.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide direct support and coordination to tenants who are experiencing hoarding or other life skills challenges. Make appropriate referrals in order to increase tenant’s capacity to prevent eviction.  
• Create, maintain and improve a healthy working relationship with the client and their circle of care.
• Providing Initial and ongoing assessment of clients’ needs and goals in the areas of mental and physical health and wellness, trauma, homelessness, suicidality and other elevated risks of harm, psychological distress, medication management, symptom management, food security, housing, daily living skills, income, employment, social/recreational, education, relationships, displacement, and any other area defined as relevant by the client. 
• Work with a caseload of tenants as assigned by the Program Manager of Adams House. Complete any required assessment tools. Complete coordinated care plans as appropriate. Work with tenant and other supports to ensure case plans and safety plans are in place to support their tenancy and try to avoid eviction whenever possible. 
• Utilize community development, facilitative management, and conflict resolution approaches to facilitate supportive, co-operative living and support tenants to develop skills to live cooperatively in the community. 
• Facilitate regular meetings with individual tenants in order to set individual short and long term goals in relation to maintaining their housing.
• Actively work with tenants to address safety and security. 
• Deal with housing related issues such as; behaviour, social isolation, mental health, substance use and hygiene by encouraging and supporting tenants to problem solve and to access community resources such as support agencies and other programs and services.  
• Use Harm Reduction practices and principles when dealing with housing related issues. 
• Assist with cleaning of rooms and pest control preparation regularly.  
• Identify, intervene in and deescalate crisis situations and work with tenants to develop crisis management skills. 
• Educate tenants about their tenancy responsibilities and their on-going responsibilities to maintain their housing.  
• Work with the tenant community to understand the Social Housing Reform Act requirements, the applicable sections of the Tenancy and Service Agreement and Cota's Mission, Vision and Values. 
• Accurately document and report all information in the appropriate places and with the relevant parties to an acceptable prescribed standard. 
• Communicate and demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with the tenant community and abide by the organizational policies. 
•  Have knowledge of and be able to use emergency building systems and fire procedures.  
• Participate in regular supervisions with the Program Manager.
• Work in accordance to the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. 
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager of Adams House. 

The Successful Candidate Requires:

• A minimum of a Community College Diploma in a field relevant to the target population.  Higher level post-secondary education will be considered an asset. 
• At least two years’ experience working with marginalize community and people experiencing chronic homelessness. 
• Strong understanding of systems that cause and support homelessness, poverty and discrimination and respect for those realities. 
• Strong experience in Life skills Coaching and Hoarding Coaching. 
• Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present need for services with urgent multiple complex health needs. 
• Experience delivering case management services.
• Highly developed and proven group facilitation skills. 
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills. 
• Strong understanding of and experience in community development practices. 
• Well-developed conflict resolution and negotiation skills and crisis management skills. 
• Ability to work productively within a team setting. 
• Strong organizational skills; highly developed ability to prioritize work through short and long term goals and remain flexible. 
• Well-developed interpersonal skills that will produce effective, productive and appropriate relationships with the tenants, community, external agencies and staff at Cota. 
• Proven ability to constructively give and receive feedback. 
• Highly developed understanding of and proven ability to communicate appropriate professional boundaries. 
• Proven ability to challenge organization, staff and tenant communities in a positive and creative way to effect better service. 
• Knowledge of community based resources. 
• Experience with and proven responsibility handling money. 
• Literacy in Microsoft Office, Pirouette and Teams (an asset). 

Other Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Please note that the site location includes stairs and the role may require lifting of objects.

Application Details

Please forward a cover letter and your current resume on or before January 27th, 2024 by 4:00 pm with the reference EX338. 

Cota's Values & Commitment

Cota's core values of Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation are at centre of who we are and what we do.

As an equal opportunity employer, we remain dedicated to sustaining an experienced workforce that reflects Cota's commitment to recognizing everyone's contributions, respect of everyone's dignity, unique experience and potentials.

Cota will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.

Cota's Diversity Statement

Cota remains respectful of all protected rights in line with the grounds laid out by the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). Cota is also strongly committed to diversity and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

As part of our hiring process, you may be asked to complete demographic survey. This survey is voluntary and any information provided shall remain anonymous and confidential, only being used for the purpose of workforce reporting.

Cota's Accessibility Statement

Cota is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our entire hiring process as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. For any recruitment related accommodation needs and/or requests please contact the HR Department via email to hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

Scent Free: Cota encourages a scent-free environment. Any staff or visitor attending any of our sites should please refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.) 

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interests, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.