Job Posting: Housing Specialist

TITLE: Housing Specialist

LOCATION(S): Ottawa

SALARY: $53,633.18 - $60,705.12 per annum **based on work experience

HOURS: 40-hour work week (35 working hours plus 5 hours allocated to daily half hour paid lunches and unpaid breaks).

EMPLOYER: John Howard Society of Ottawa

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit your cover letter and resume through the John Howard Society of Ottawa’s website, under the Careers tab at: https://johnhoward.on.ca/ottawa/careers/

CLOSING DATE: Friday, October 30th, 2026

About the environment: Employees at JHS Ottawa say the organizational culture is supportive, innovative, and focused on creating a caring environment for both clients, and staff. At JHS Ottawa, you will find an employer that celebrates the uniqueness of each of its staff members and is committed to promoting an engaging working culture where all employees are encouraged to live their strengths and realize their potential. JHS Ottawa will provide permanent new employees access to a benefit plan, four weeks vacation annually, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan after eligibility waiting period, and opportunities for continual learning and development.

About who we support: Our employees are supporting a diverse client group including youth and adults, all genders, from a wide cross section of social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds who are representative of our broader community. We are accountable to the people we serve by providing the highest quality of service with integrity through the delivery of responsive, innovative and evidence-informed approaches.

About diversity at JHS Ottawa: The John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to reflecting and responding to the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is seeking that diversity in applicants for this position. We welcome candidates from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and all candidates who contribute to furthering the diversity of ideas. We also recognize that people from diverse groups have different needs and require different solutions to gain equal chance for success in the hiring process.

If you require any accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.

About the role: You will assist with housing searches and placement along with leveraging supportive services that will assist clients with housing retention and housing loss prevention. You will develop and maintain strong working relationships with landlords, The City of Ottawa and OW/ODSP/CAS,



addressing any concerns promptly and professionally. You will also work directly with the Housing Case Based Managers from the John Howard Society and The Elizabeth Fry Ottawa.

Using a team-based approach, you as the Housing Specialist will work supporting clients and the other members of the team.

As the successful candidate, you have:

- Three (3) to five (5) years of experience in the homelessness and supportive housing sector
- Successful completion of University Degree/College Diploma in the social sciences or related field or equivalent experience
- Ability to review rental ledgers, investigate late or missing rent payments, and liaise with landlords and income support providers, including Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), to resolve payment discrepancies and support clients in addressing rental arrears.
- Knowledge of the Housing First approach to homelessness, Ontario Land-Lord Tenant Act, SPDAT Assessment, and HIFIS
- Assist in resolving issues that put the tenancy at risk, including mediating with neighbouring tenants, and supporting clients through any Landlord and Tenant Board process.
- Assist the client by arranging viewings, contacting, and negotiating with landlords, choosing housing, assisting with move-in arrangements including by completing housing allowance applications and renewals, furniture procurement, tenant insurance and completing forms pertinent to the Landlord Damage Fund
- Familiarity with the housing‐related issues and obstacles of moderate and low‐income individuals, youth and individuals involved in the criminal justice
- Have an updated clear Criminal Record Check working with vulnerable population
- Collaborative team player with superior motivating skills, who builds relationships easily with clients, team members, landlords and other agencies
- Ability to coordinate all on-site program related functions through a gender- and trauma-responsive framework
- Excellent people skills to facilitate relationships with clients, colleagues, supervisors, program partners and community members
- A willingness to work in collaboration with a wide variety of community partners, agencies and emergency services




- Demonstrate they can work effectively with the challenges that Housing Based Case Managers face from the John Howard Society of Ottawa and The Elizabeth Fry Society

You’ll also be prepared to

- Work primarily out of our main office at 401 Bell Street South.
- Have ownership of a vehicle and/or ability to be extremely mobile to accommodate meetings in the community and internally at JHS sites
- Exercise extreme flexibility to accommodate fluctuating and varied program needs, on rare occasions evenings and weekends

You’re a fit with our organizational culture, if you mirror our values in the way you work:

- You are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your clients, through responsive, innovative, and evidence informed approaches.
- Driven by curiosity, you adapt to achieve the best results for clients/communities you serve.
- Celebrating the uniqueness and lived experience of every person is part of your nature, and this conviction creates a sense of belonging, safety, and better outcomes for all.
- You work in a way that helps employees and clients live their strengths and reach their potential
- Work with compassion and care for others, and help JHS build a culture of listening, mutual support, and meaningful connections.

You’re a fit with our organizational culture if you believe:

- In building meaningful connections across our programs, partners, and neighbourhoods in order to foster inclusion and empowerment.
- In a person-centred approach, recognizing the value, expertise, and capacity of each individual to make choices that lead to their best self.
- That systemic inequalities exist, and that all people have the right to be treated with dignity, to live free from discrimination, to have a home, and to access employment, education, health promotion and other supports.
- In reducing harm to individuals and communities through a non-judgmental approach that builds resiliency and accountability.
- In the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, change, and grow while promoting the conditions to inspire positive transformation.

We sincerely thank all applicants who express interest in JHS and this position- only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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📌 Housing Specialist (Ottawa)
🏢 John Howard Society of Ottawa
📍 Ottawa