Housing Stability Worker: Housing First for Youth (HF4Y)

We don’t have a mold for you to fit. We have a mission for you to join!

Most jobs want you to button up and blend in. At Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), we want the opposite. We want the unique perspectives, the diverse talents, and the personal story that makes you who you are. Why? Because the youth we serve are not one size fits all and the people who support them shouldn’t be either!

At YOU, we believe meaningful impact is built collectively, and that every role contributes to something bigger than itself. We value your ability to bring fresh ideas to the table and innovate new ways to steward and strengthen the financial systems that power our mission, working within a team that walks alongside youth every step of the way!

Build a community where youth are embraced, empowered, and thrive. Be bold. Be authentic. Be YOU

Reporting to the Community Outreach Team Leader, the Housing Stability Worker – HF4Y Mobile Team / RRH program will work on an outreach basis to support youth who are identified by the City of London’s Coordinated Response as being chronically and persistently homeless, or in need of re-housing through the Rapid Re-housing process. As part of YOU’s Housing First program these youth will be prioritized for intensive support, will be housed rapidly and will require assistance to establish a sense of belonging in the community, through the provision of assertive and intensive Housing First case management.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Working with youth identified by the City of London’s Coordinated Response as experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness, and in need of housing or re-housing support
• Working from a hard reduction model, to support participants who may choose to use substances
• Working independently with minimal on-site supervisor, role will be primarily based in the community
• Expected to execute good judgment when working with a youth in acute crisis; including safety planning for participants and self to ensure safety at all times
• Utilize successful de-escalation strategies to support youth experiencing trauma, mental health, or behavioral challenges in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Providing ongoing assessment and integrated case management, and completing serious occurrence reporting in a timely manner
• Supporting youth to transition from homelessness to stable housing through an intensive in-home support model
• Working in collaboration with community partners to address the needs of youth that have experienced homelessness; provide appropriate community referrals and supports to participants
• Administering the full SPDAT assessments to youth at intake, and at the following milestones: 3/6/9/12 month marker

Qualifications-

• Completion of post-secondary education at a college or university level in a human relations or social services field or combined equivalent education and a minimum of 2 years related case management experience
• Extensive knowledge of local supports for youth
• Knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health, trauma, and addictions
• Ability to workdays, evenings, weekends
• Current Police Vulnerable Sector Check
• Current First Aid & CPR Certificate Level C
• Experience working with at-risk youth and extensive knowledge of local community-based programs
• Proficiency working with Housing First approaches, specific to proving in-home support
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, meeting targets and deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including SharePoint, Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
• Must have access to reliable transportation

Hours of Work :

• 35 hours per week, flexible scheduling depending on participant needs.
• Daytime, evening, and weekend on a shift rotation. Note this position is expected to work on rotating shifts to ensure 7 days a week support to participants.

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion:

YOU is actively building a diverse board and workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, we promote employment equity and encourage candidates from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, women, and other people from communities facing systemic inequities. We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you feel the position would be a stretch.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited is committed to developing inclusive and barrier free selection and appointment processes as well as work environments, in support of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation 191 11. Should an applicant require accommodation at any point during the recruitment process or as an employee during subsequent employment, they are invited to communicate and discuss their requirements with the YOU contact noted below.
We thank all applicants however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.