Position Summary

The Housing Officer will play a vital role in helping refugees and newcomers navigate Quebec’s housing landscape. The role includes delivering workshops, providing one-on-one support, mediating landlord-tenant disputes, coordinating emergency shelter options, and working closely with legal staff, outreach teams, and external partners to ensure safe and stable housing for clients.

Key Responsibilities

Housing Search Support & Tenant Rights Education

- Assist clients in understanding lease agreements, tenant rights, and available housing options.

- Provide one-on-one support to help newcomers navigate the rental market and avoid exploitative practices.

- Organize workshops on tenant rights, housing responsibilities, and eviction prevention.

Case Management & Housing Legal Support

- Conduct consultations on urgent housing issues (e.g., eviction threats, rent increases, landlord disputes).

- Coordinate with housing lawyers to support clients facing tenancy-related legal challenges.

- Provide landlord mediation and accompaniment to ensure fair resolutions in housing disputes.

- Organize emergency shelter support for clients facing housing instability or homelessness.

Resource Development & Team Collaboration

- Maintain and update a housing resource bank, including housing listings, emergency contacts, and landlord networks.

- Collaborate with the Housing Director and outreach staff to keep resources and strategies current.

- Participate in team meetings to share updates, discuss cases, and coordinate advocacy efforts.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education





- Bachelor’s degree or certification in Social Work, Housing & Urban Studies, Public Policy, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Experience

- Minimum 2 years of experience in housing advocacy, tenant support, or social services.

- Experience working with refugees, asylum seekers, or vulnerable populations is a strong asset.

Skills

- Robust knowledge of tenant rights and housing policies in Quebec.

- Ability to mediate landlord-tenant disputes effectively.

- Excellent organizational and coordination abilities.

- Strong public speaking and facilitation skills for both workshops and individual consultations.

Languages

- Fluency in English and French (spoken and written) is required.

- Additional languages such as Arabic or Spanish are an asset.

- Proficiency in English or another language is required in order to communicate with a predominantly English-speaking or allophone clientele.

Other Requirements

- Availability to work some evenings and weekends for outreach and workshops.

- A valid driver’s license is an asset (not required).

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

The Refugee Centre is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience as refugees or newcomers, as well as from members of underrepresented communities.

Hours:
Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: Closed

📌 Housing Officer (Montreal)
🏢 L INITIATIVE CANADIENNE POUR LES REFUGIEES ICR CANADIAN REFUGEE INITIATIVE
📍 Montreal