Salary: Job Band G (hourly wages): Min - $26.62, Mid - $28.83, Max - $32.54

STARLING COMMUNITY SERVICES IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERYONE EXPERIENCES MENTAL WELLNESS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING.

To better serve the diversity of our community, the agency is committed to embedding anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices, and perspectives into the fabric of our organization. We have implemented mandatory antiracism training, we are actively building safe spaces to host brave conversations for learning, and we are fostering a culture of belonging for all, but especially BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, historically and presently marginalized individuals and communities.

There is one Full-Time permanent Rent Support Coordinator position available starting on January 27, 2025, working 37.5 hours per week.

Your Role:

The Rent Support Coordinator is part of the Housing Services Housing First Teams. This position works with individuals, couples and families to assess and determine eligibility for housing and support applications with rent subsidies, while utilizing a person-centered, trauma informed approach in working with those who are homeless and with a high depth of need. Works in alignment with the agencys commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression values.

Tasks:

Client Service:

1. Receives and process referrals for Housing and Support applications with rent subsidies, for those who are homeless and have a higher depth of need.
2. Meets with clients and program staff to determine eligibility, based on eligibility criteria.
3. Works from a trauma informed approach using progressive engagement, crisis intervention, harm reduction and motivational interviewing skills to engage and provide services.
4. Offers and provides service to high acuity individuals with complex mental health, addiction, and physical health issues.
5. Works alongside participants from Housing Services and on the PATHS list to navigate homeless system supports.
6. Completes applications for housing and financial supports for those meeting eligibility criteria.
7. Supports the acquisition of necessary identification, income support, proof of income, proof of taxes, housing history and site selections.
8. Refers to community agencies to acquire documents to complete applications when needed.
9. Completes and submits applications and follow-ups on eligibility outcomes to prepare for housing and financial support offers.
10. Determines and communicates application eligibility outcomes for rent assistance, and other financial and housing supports.
11. Sets up and coordinates monthly rent payments with program referrals.
12. Liaises with Income and Housing Providers to ensure housing and financial supports are provided in a seamless effort to obtain and maintain housing for those experiencing homelessness.
13. Works closely with Lutherwood finance team to ensure funds are issued, rent is paid, and monthly reports are sent to Region of Waterloo as funder.
14. Works alongside other Housing Services team members to support the matching of participants to housing with financial supports in both fixed site and scattered site units.
15. Works in community settings as needed to provide services to support individuals to access housing and financial supports as needed.
16. Engages in creative problem-solving to address service gaps.
17. Functions as the link between landlords, tenants and Housing Services Teams to address participant financial and other housing stability concerns.

Landlord and Community Development:

1. Works as a member of the larger Housing Services Team to develop relationships with public and private market landlords and property management groups to secure housing and arrange rent payments for individuals experiencing homelessness.
2. Works with Housing Services Teams team to identify households complex housing-related needs and assists them to develop and execute financial and housing retention strategies to promote housing stability.
3. Provides support to landlords/property managers to enable them to sustain relationships with participants identifying with complex needs, to prevent housing instability.
4. Engages in creative problem-solving to address landlord needs and concerns.
5. Maintains a high level of diplomacy in communicating with landlords and community partners.
6. Works collaboratively with the Housing Services Teams and community partners to ensure a coordinated approach to services.
7. Serves as a linkage between community supports and services for ongoing support and facilitated eviction prevention and housing stability.
8. Develops a system to respond to landlord and/or participant tenant concerns.
9. Develops a system for consistent completion of Landlord Satisfaction Surveys.
10. Evaluates the results of the Landlord Satisfaction Surveys and implements changes as necessary.

Rent Coordination:

1. Works closely with Tenants and Housing Services Teams to successfully manage rent subsidy and payments of rent to maintain housing stability.
2. Collaborates with the Housing Services Teams team to develop a standardized process to house participants and arrange direct payment of rent to landlord.
3. Updates Lutherwood finance department monthly regarding any changes to participant Housing Financial Subsidies.
4. Conducts monthly check-ins with landlords to ensure there are no rent or tenancy related concerns.
5. Tracks when renewals are due and ensures they are completed and submitted for on- going financial and housing supports.
6. Conducts regular and annual review of participant agreements for financial housing subsidies to verify ongoing participant eligibility.
7. Maintains close partnership with the Region of Waterloo to assure participant community housing arrears are paid.
8. Conducts in home/community check-ins for participant eligibility renewal.

Administration:

1. Establishes and maintains case files.
2. Ensures the completion of all documentation to assist with accurate statistical collection.
3. Completes program-reporting requirements and documentation.
4. Assists in the compilation of information to assist with research and development.
5. Works with community partners to develop a viable sustainability plan for the program.

Other:

1. Represents Lutherwood in the community.
2. Participates in supervision meetings with Supervisor, Housing Services.
3. Participates in staff training and development.
4. Represents Lutherwood in the community.
5. Participates in Agency committees and task forces.
6. Complies with policies and procedures of the Agency as outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual.
7. Complies with the duties imposed by law or contract and the policies and procedures for performing the job in a safe and healthy manner.
8. Takes an active role in promoting and protecting personal health and safety and the health and safety of others, both staff and consumers (Sec 28(1)OSHA).
9. Demonstrates anti-racism and anti-oppression values in all aspects of role.
10. Able to mitigate risk to personal safety that may result from unpredictable work environments that may include second- hand smoke, drug paraphernalia, harmful substance use, serious mental health crisis, violence or threats of violence, weapons and death of participant.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Your Talents and Experience:

A degree or diploma in social services with strong financial management skills, and relevant experience working in a community-based setting. Passion and knowledge for anti-racism, anti-oppression, and equity when executing all aspects of the role. Experience in service coordination and case management. Knowledge of income support programs, local housing market and community services within the K-W community. High level of autonomy and decision-making ability is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Reliable transportation is essential for this position. Required to hold a G class license and a two-million-dollar liability policy as part of personal car insurance.

Whats in it for you?

• Rate of Pay: At Starling Community Services all salaries are categorized under a series of "bands" determined during our job evaluation process. When determining rate of pay for external hires, a candidates past related experience will be taken into consideration along with where others with similar experience currently fall within the band.
• Note: most new team members will start between the starting salary and the middle point of the range.
• Job Band G (hourly wages): Min - $26.62, Mid - $28.83, Max - $32.54
• A positive work culture, inclusive workplace policies, and employee wellness initiatives
• We offer our employees the security and peace of mind that comes with enrollment in a defined pension plan with the Heath Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP). We understand the importance of financial well-being and believe that a strong pension, like HOOPP, recognizes our employees and provides a stable foundation for their future as part of the overall compensation package.
• Eligible after 3 months of employment to enroll in our Modular Health and Dental Benefits plan with Sun Life, allowing you to select the options and coverage levels that meet your individual and/or family needs.
• Access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program which provides free and confidential counselling, resources and services.
• 3 Weeks paid vacation (pro-rated to start date and hours for position; accumulated bi-weekly) + 15 hours of personal time per year.
• Paid sick time (pro-rated to start date and hours for position; accumulated monthly) to a maximum of 300 hours.
• 11 paid holiday benefits per year plus a floater day.

• Discounted GRT passes through membership with Travel Wise.
• Employee Referral Incentive Program.
• Agency Orientation and Training modules.
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Responsive Leadership Training Program (leadership positions only).
• Staff appreciation events.

If you are community-focused and share our values and antiracism commitment, we want you to grow with us. Please submit your application through BambooHR, in confidence, no later than 4 pm on January 13, 2025.

This is an internal and external posting.

The Agency requires all employees to obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check prior to commencing employment. We require certain positions to obtain a Medical Certification.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If you don't have every single requirement and the exact level of experience listed in our description, but the skills and experience needed for the role still resonate with you, please consider applying.

If you require any support with submitting your application, or through the interview process, please contact the Human Resources department at [email protected] or by calling 519-707-1958 ext. 1247.