Supportive Housing Worker

COTA Health; Toronto; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Cota Health in Ontario is seeking a Supportive Housing Worker to provide recovery‑oriented services to adults facing mental health and cognitive challenges. You will help with housing searches, intake, eligibility, and tenant supports, while coordinating with networks to promote safety and independence.

The role focuses on tenancy support, daily living activities, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to empower service users.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Social Services or related field.
• At least 3 years of related or lived experience supporting individuals in housing or social services.
• Knowledge of community resources and housing supports.
• Ability to design and facilitate group activities.
• Crisis management and dispute resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with housing search and acquisition of appropriate units.
• Coordinate intake, eligibility, and move‑in for new service users.
• Develop tenant Support/Goal Plans with tenants and networks.
• Maintain safe/clean environment and promote tenant meetings.
• Document interactions and enter data per guidelines.
• Participate in team meetings and program planning.

Skills

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Problem solving

Team player

Non-judgmental

Independent work

Community resources knowledge

Housing knowledge

Education

Community College Diploma in Social Services / Community Work / Mental Health

Job description

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

Sunday-Thursday, 1:00pm-9:00pm

Existing Vacancy

Compensation: $25.28/hour-$29.40/hour

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. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Supportive Housing Worker is responsible for providing Recovery Oriented services to Cota service users in a manner consistent with Cota’s Mission, Vision and Values.

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:

1. In conjunction with the manager and supervisor, they assist with the search for, and acquisition of, appropriate housing units as may be required within the program
2. Coordinates intake processes including:
   • Reviewing the referral information of applicants to the program
   • Coordinating and participating in screening interviews with applicants and their respective referral sources
   • Determining eligibility for the program and confirming acceptance of new service users into the program
   • Coordinating move‑in arrangements with the new service users and their respective referral sources
   • Facilitating internal move‑in practices/protocols with new service users, per applicable program standards/guidelines
   • Orientating new service users to the housing environment and Cota’s service
3. Assists with the development of tenant Support/Goal Plans:
   • Plays an active lead role in ensuring that Support/Goal Plans are developed with each tenant and his/her support network and a record of this is documented in service user's chart
   • Shares responsibility with the Team for implementing appropriate housing supports that assist service users in pursuing/achieving their goals
   • Liaises with service user support networks on a regular basis
   • Focuses on assisting service users with:
     • a) Tenancy Related Matters, such as:
       • Reducing high risk behaviours
       • Coping within a communal environment
       • Engagement within the life of the tenant community
     • b) Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as:
       • Maintaining appropriate medications routines
       • Providing assistance and reminders relating to appointments
       • Establishing and/or maintaining service user personal hygiene routines
       • Assisting with service users' laundry routines
       • Maintaining and/or cleaning service users' units/rooms
       • Assisting service users with menu planning, grocery shopping and/or cooking
       • Managing and supporting service users with behavioural needs
       • Other supports with ADLs as identified by the Supervisor and/or Team
     • c) Other individual support requirements including, but not limited to:
       • Community orientation
       • Linking to Case Management and/or other services
       • Situational dispute/problem resolution
       • Informal counselling/guidance
4. Supports the maintenance of safe/clean environment:
   • Directly assists with maintaining the site in a clean and orderly state. This may involve:
   • Cleaning/setting up vacant tenant units in order to prepare them for occupancy as scheduled, or, as required
   • Cleaning common areas such as common rooms/lounges after activities, common kitchen, office, staff lounge, and building exterior space area as scheduled, or, as required
   • Assisting with any pest control/eradication efforts, as required
   • Continually assessing the environment for safety and security issues and recommending action to address any deficiencies
5. Coordinates/facilitates tenant meetings to promote direct service user participation in the planning of services/activities provided by Cota and to promote a safe and open forum for dialogue in relation to issues/concerns that service users may have regarding the services they receive, the environment that they live in, and any conflict/tension that they may be experiencing in relation to their living environment
6. Plans and facilitates group activities/events which foster service user engagement/participation, the development of social networks, and skill acquisition
7. Coordinates the purchasing of necessary program/activity supplies, and accounts for purchases in accordance with program guidelines
8. Offers outreach support/education to landlords and housing providers through:
   • Orientation to/education about the challenges facing our service users and their support needs
   • Participation in joint service user/landlord dispute meetings
9. Documentation and data entry:
   • Documents all service users contacts/interactions in the appropriate service user chart according to Cota's documentation guidelines
   • Enters data relating to service user interactions into Cota's database system according to data collection guideline
   • Assists with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the Supervisor and/or Team
10. Participates in team meetings, provides input and ideas for improving services, efficiencies and ongoing program planning

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintains current certification and/or up-to-date training in identified Required Training areas for MH&CS Division Service providers
• Adheres to all Cota's policies and procedures and follows established applicable program guidelines, procedures and practices
• Adheres to all applicable legislation, in particular, the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Complies with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and service users and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptly
• Works cooperatively, respectfully and constructively with service users, Team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders
• Ensures that confidentiality of service users, employees and Cota information is maintained at all times
• Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

Completion of a Community College Diploma in Social Services, Community Work, Mental Health, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of related certified trainings, and a minimum of three (3) years of related or lived experience supporting individuals in housing, social services, or community-based settings

Knowledge & Skills :

• Clinical knowledge relevant to the target population being served
• Knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/information
• Ability to design and implement group activities and facilitate group meetings
• Good crisis management and dispute resolution skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Basic computer literacy (Word, E-mail, Internet)
• Good judgment and ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with others
• Non-judgmental attitude
• Consistent/ reliable and flexible
• Ability to recognize safety issues and follow safe work practices
• Demonstrated service user-centred and customer focused approach
• Ability to problem solve and make recommendations to resolve issues
• Effective team player
• Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictions

Judgment:

• Ability to identify client risk factors and coordinate appropriate follow-up
• Respectful and aware of service user - worker boundaries
• Awareness of safety issues with service users

Additional Information:

We are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience as a valuable form of knowledge and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences, identities, and perspectives - including those with lived experience of housing insecurity, mental health or substance use recovery, or engagement with community supports. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

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

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

About Cota Health

COTA Health (Cota) is an accredited, not-for-profit, community-based organization thathas been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live wellwithin their communities for over 45 years. We provide person-centred supports thatassist individuals to find inspiration and hope in their inherent strengths and supportthem to pursue meaningful change in their lives, as they define it. Cota also workscollaboratively with our funders, our partners and other stakeholders, across theprovincial health and social service systems, to inspire positive change in the way thatservices are delivered to individuals living with mental health and cognitivechallenges.

Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr [e-mail]