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, qualified 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

Solid 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.

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📌 Indigenous Housing Access Case Manager (Winnipeg)
🏢 firstlightnl
📍 Winnipeg