Indigenous Housing Access Case Manager

firstlightnl; San Juan de Terranova; Hybrid; CAD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

First Light seeks an Indigenous Housing Access Case Manager to provide short-term, intensive support for Indigenous individuals and families experiencing homelessness. You will manage a caseload of 8–10 participants, perform housing planning, landlord engagement, and move-in coordination with a culturally grounded, trauma-informed approach.

Reporting to the Coordinator of Indigenous Housing, you will conduct weekly visits, document outcomes in HIFIS, and ensure compliance with EHSJ requirements.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Social Work, Indigenous Studies, Human Services, or related field
• Two years or more of relevant experience in housing, homelessness, or outreach
• Understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary realities
• Knowledge of homelessness, housing insecurity, tenancy challenges, and systemic barriers
• Strong communication, relationship-building, advocacy, case-management, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
• Strong documentation and digital-literacy skills including confidential records
• Valid driver’s licence and access to reliable vehicle

Responsibilities

• Accept matches assigned through Coordinated Access to Homes and follow consent processes
• Contact each newly matched participant within 48 hours and document outcomes
• Complete weekly in-person or in-home visits as needed
• Maintain accurate, respectful, confidential participant records in HIFIS
• Complete assessments, service plans, case notes, referrals, and funder reporting
• Participate in Coordinated Access to Homes meetings, case conferencing and training
• Cover caseload during vacations or absences with the Coordinator of Indigenous Housing
• Communicate participant needs and safety concerns to the Coordinator of Indigenous Housing
• Provide short-term, housing-focused case management to move participants into housing efficiently
• Maintain active caseload of 8–10 participants
• Complete housing needs assessments and individualized housing access plans
• Support housing searches, applications, viewings, landlord communication, and tenancy processes
• Help obtain identification, income support, references, and other housing resources
• Develop respectful relationships with landlords and housing providers and advocate for housing opportunities
• Coordinate move-in planning and transition to follow-up housing support
• Record housing placements, move-in dates, referrals, and outcomes in relevant systems.

Skills

Relationship-builder

Organized

Trauma-informed

Compassionate

Respectful communication

Education

Social Work / related field degree

Tools

HIFIS

Job description

The Indigenous Housing Access Case Manager provides short-term, intensive support to Indigenous individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and have been matched to First Light through Coordinated Access to Homes. The role focuses on helping participants move from homelessness into safe, appropriate, and sustainable housing.

Reporting to the Coordinator of Indigenous Housing, the Case Manager carries a caseload of approximately 8–10 participants and works quickly to complete housing planning, searches, applications, landlord engagement, system navigation, and move-in coordination. Support is culturally grounded, trauma-informed, person-centred, and aligned with First Light and EHSJ requirements.

Who You Are & What You Carry

You believe housing is a human right and understand the systemic barriers Indigenous people may experience when accessing and maintaining housing. You approach participants with respect, compassion, consistency, and accountability while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

• Rooted in or committed to Indigenous values, cultural safety, and community well-being
• Compassionate, dependable, and able to remain grounded in complex situations
• A relationship-builder who communicates respectfully and works collaboratively
• Organized and able to manage caseloads, documentation, appointments, and follow-up
• Committed to strengths-based, harm-reduction, trauma-informed, and person-centred approaches

What You’ll Do

EHSJ and Coordinated Access Requirements

• Accept participant matches assigned through Coordinated Access to Homes and follow all applicable matching and consent processes
• Contact each newly matched participant within 48 hours of receiving the match and document all contact attempts and outcomes
• Complete at least one in-person or in-home visit with each active participant every week, based on the participant’s needs and stage of support
• Maintain timely, accurate, respectful, and confidential participant records in HIFIS and any required First Light systems
• Complete required assessments, service plans, case notes, referrals, housing outcomes, follow-up records, and funder reporting information
• Participate in Coordinated Access to Homes meetings, case conferencing, training, professional development, and other EHSJ-required activities
• Work with the Coordinator of Indigenous Housing and team members to ensure appropriate caseload coverage during vacation, illness, vacancies, and other staff absences
• Communicate emerging participant needs, safety concerns, service pressures, and program risks to the Coordinator of Indigenous Housing

Housing Access Responsibilities

• Provide short-term, housing-focused case management designed to move participants from homelessness into housing as efficiently and safely as possible
• Maintain an active caseload of approximately 8–10 participants assigned through Coordinated Access to Homes
• Complete housing needs assessments and individualized housing access plans with clear goals, actions, responsibilities, and timelines
• Support housing searches, applications, viewings, landlord communication, rent-supplement processes, tenancy preparation, and lease review
• Help participants obtain identification, income support, references, documentation, furnishings, and other resources needed to secure housing
• Develop respectful relationships with landlords and housing providers and advocate for appropriate housing opportunities
• Coordinate move-in planning and ensure a clear transition to Follow-up Housing Support or other appropriate ongoing services
• Record housing placements, move-in dates, referrals, outcomes, and transition information in HIFIS within required timelines

Culturally Grounded and Holistic Support

• Provide culturally safe, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and responsive support that honours participant choice and self-determination
• Recognize the impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, systemic discrimination, poverty, and displacement on housing experiences
• Connect participants with First Light programs, cultural supports, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and external services when requested and appropriate
• Provide warm referrals to health, mental-health, substance-use, legal, income, employment, family, and community supports
• Maintain confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, and the dignity of every participant

Partnerships and Coordinated Care

• Work collaboratively with First Light programs, EHSJ, Coordinated Access to Homes, and community service providers
• Build respectful working relationships with landlords, housing providers, government departments, and community organizations
• Participate in case conferences and coordinated planning while sharing information in accordance with consent and privacy requirements
• Represent First Light professionally and contribute to positive relationships across the housing and homelessness sector

Team and Organizational Responsibilities

• Participate actively in supervision, team meetings, case reviews, training, reflective practice, and professional development
• Contribute to a supportive team culture grounded in respect, collaboration, accountability, and community
• Follow First Light policies, health and safety practices, privacy requirements, professional standards, and EHSJ program expectations
• Respond appropriately to urgent situations and complete required incident documentation and follow-up
• Perform other related duties within the scope of the position as assigned

Skills, Experience & Requirements

We recognize that knowledge and strength come through many pathways, including lived and living experience, cultural teachings, community care, professional experience, and formal education.

To be eligible for this role, you must have:

• A diploma or degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Indigenous Studies, Community Development, Human Services, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered
• At least two years of relevant experience providing one-on-one, family, housing, homelessness, outreach, or community-based support
• Understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary realities, with a commitment to cultural safety and Indigenous-led services
• Knowledge of homelessness, housing insecurity, tenancy challenges, and systemic barriers affecting Indigenous people
• Strong communication, relationship-building, advocacy, case-management, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills
• Ability to work independently, collaborate effectively, manage competing priorities, and respond calmly to complex situations
• Strong documentation and digital-literacy skills, including the ability to maintain accurate and confidential electronic records
• A valid driver’s licence, access to a reliable vehicle, and a satisfactory driver’s abstract
• A satisfactory Record of Conduct and Vulnerable Sector Check, which may be obtained during the hiring process

Assets

• Experience using HIFIS or a comparable case-management database
• Knowledge of Coordinated Access to Homes and local housing, income-support, and community-service systems
• Experience supporting people affected by trauma, mental-health concerns, substance use, family violence, or other complex barriers
• Training in First Aid and CPR, ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, TCI, harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, or related areas
• Experience working within an Indigenous organization or community-based setting

Working Conditions

• Work is completed in office, community, housing, and outreach settings, including regular visits in participants’ homes
• Local travel is required for home visits, appointments, housing viewings, meetings, and community visits
• Some flexibility in working hours may be required based on participant, program, and caseload-coverage needs
• The role involves regular exposure to complex and emotionally demanding situations and requires sound judgment, boundaries, and self-awareness.

Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

First Light celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all members of our team. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of Indigenous identity or status, lived experience, national or other origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, or other characteristics.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals who carry lived experience expertise, acknowledging the value and alignment with First Light’s organizational goals. We’re committed to supporting candidates throughout the application process by accommodating any disability-related requests.