Housing Advisor - Housing Services

Lutherwood; Cambridge; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading not-for-profit organization is seeking two full-time Housing Advisors to support individuals and families in accessing housing resources. The successful candidates will engage with the community to promote mental wellness and assist with housing stability, all while working in a culture committed to anti-racism. Excellent pay and benefits, along with a supportive workplace culture, await you.

Benefits

Defined pension plan

Health and dental benefits

3 weeks paid vacation

15 hours of personal time per year

Paid sick time

11 paid holidays plus a floater

Professional development opportunities

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Staff appreciation events

Qualifications

• Experience in supportive counseling, case management.
• Knowledge of the local housing market and community services.
• Demonstrated passion for anti-racism and anti-oppression.

Responsibilities

• Assists clients in securing and maintaining housing.
• Develops housing resources and workshops.
• Collaborates with community partners for coordinated services.

Skills

Client Service

Crisis Intervention

Community Development

Advocacy

Communication

Education

Degree or diploma in social services

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary : Job Band G (hourly wages) : Min - $27.42, Mid - $29.70, Max - $33.52

Join Our Team :

Imagine being part of an organization that adds value to our community, cares about its staff, and creates a supportive workplace environment. Starling Community Services (formerly Lutherwood) is a progressive, not-for-profit health and social service organization that strengthens people's lives by providing mental health, employment, and housing services to more than 16,000 people annually in Waterloo Region and Wellington County.

We need great people like you to help us realize our mission and support communities where everyone experiences mental wellness, opportunities for employment, a place to call home, and a sense of belonging.

There are two Full-time permanent Housing Advisor, Housing Services positions available starting on July 14, 2025, working 37.5 hours per week, one at our 35 Dickson St. Cambridge, ON location and one at our 41 Weber St. Kitchener, ON location.

Your Role :

Works with individuals, couples, and families to equip them with the skills, resources and support necessary to obtain and maintain housing. Develops and updates housing resources. Works with Housing Services team and community partners to ensure a coordinated approach to housing services and supports to meet the complex needs of individuals, couples and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Works in alignment with the agencys commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression values.

Tasks : Client Service :

• Assesses and provides support to minimize barriers to securing and maintaining housing.
• Determines most appropriate housing service to address client needs and facilitates the connection to the required services.
• Assists individuals, couples and families to develop action plans and educates on how to search for, obtain, and maintain safe and affordable accommodations.
• Works with clients individually on life skills issues as they relate to housing.
• Refers individuals, couples and families to transitional housing as well as landlords and facilitates to find successful housing matches.
• Develops and maintains relationships with landlords.
• Completes applications for subsidized housing with the Region of Waterloo.
• Ensures all material and resources in the Resource Centre are inclusive, accessible, and current, and assists clients to access the resources.
• Provides mediation services to support clients remaining within their current housing if appropriate.
• Advocates on behalf of clients to meet the complex needs of individuals, couples and families, influencing agencies to think unconventionally and be flexible in the provision of support to assist clients with their housing issues.
• Develops and conducts culturally inclusive and client-centered housing workshops at Starling Community Services and in the community.
• Provides crisis intervention and support to those in need and provides referrals to other programs or agencies as required.
• Coordinates case conferences between clients, community agencies and significant others to ensure effective service provision.

Community Development :

• Works collaboratively with community partners to ensure a coordinated approach to services including referral protocols.
• Stays informed of community housing initiatives, connects with new initiatives to build cooperative working relationships, and keeps the housing team informed.
• Identifies special needs groups within the community and works with the community to address their needs.
• Identifies gaps in the housing stability services within Waterloo Region and works in conjunction with the housing team, supervisor and / or manager to identify potential solutions.
• Works in conjunction with the supervisor and / or manager and contributes to the development of funding proposals and presentations in the community and / or to funders.
• Works with community partners to develop a viable sustainability plan for the program.
• Conducts Rent Fund eligibility assessments with clients to determine loan and / or grant approval.
• Gathers and verifies appropriate documentation from clients to verify income, arrears, and / or potential tenancy.
• Communicates with landlords and community partners to confirm arrears and potential tenancies.
• Determines applicants ability to repay and establishes repayment schedules.
• Processes loans and coordinates with financial and administrative staff to ensure cheques are produced and PAPs are set up for loan repayments.
• Stays current with OW and ODSP income supports guidelines and as required advocates for flexibility to support the financial needs of individuals, couples or families seeking housing.
• Assists client to understand and develop financial literacy and capacity building.

Administration :

• Maintains client files according to agency and funding guidelines.
• Ensures the completion of all documentation to assist with accurate statistical collection.
• Collects and maintains accurate statistical information.
• Distributes participant support to individuals, couples and families and maintains accurate records of distribution.
• Develops and updates housing resources.
• Communicates high-risk client situations to supervisor and consults with supervisor regarding direction and follows direction accordingly.
• Assists in the compilation of information to assist with research and development.
• Works in conjunction with the manager and / or director and contributes to the development of funding proposals and presentations in the community and / or to funders.
• Maintains current knowledge of all legislation that governs landlord and tenant relationships.

Your Talents and Experience :

A degree or diploma in social services with relevant experience working in a community-based setting. Demonstrated passion and understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppression. Experience in supportive counseling, case management and crisis intervention. Knowledge of the local housing market and community services within the K-W community. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office. A valid drivers license and reliable transportation are essential for this position.

Whats in it for you?

Job Band G (hourly wages) : Min - $27.42, Mid - $29.70, Max - $33.52

A positive work culture, inclusive workplace policies, and employee wellness initiatives.

Enrollment in a defined pension plan with the Heath Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).

Enrollment in our Modular Health and Dental Benefits plan with Sun Life, after 3 months of continuous employment.

Access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program which provides free and confidential counselling, resources

and services.

3 Weeks paid vacation (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.

Professional development and tuition reimbursement opportunities.

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 June 23, 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. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and quality; therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require any support submitting your application or during the interview process by contacting Human Resources at or by calling ext. 1247.

Our Commitment to Equity :

To better serve the diversity of our community, the agency is dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for both clients and staff, with particular attention to supporting BIPOC communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and other historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. We understand that addressing systemic inequities is crucial to fulfilling our mission and promoting the well-being of the communities we serve.

Our equity strategy is guided by core principles that emphasize celebrating diversity, building strong partnerships, prioritizing client service, and recognizing equity is a shared responsibility.