Case Manager – Housing First Program

Long Term Supports

Reports to: Program Manager – Housing First and Supportive Housing program

Overview

The Case Manager, Long Term Supports – Housing First program assists individuals and families in maintaining current housing locations with the prime objective to stabilize housing. S/he provides the range of housing support and functions within the Housing First program.

Description

The Case Manager, Long Term Supports – Housing First is responsible for:

- Providing on-going case management supports with the prime objective to stabilize tenancy by:
- providing supports to clients in their homes -clients are not expected to, nor are they required to, go to an office to receive case management or any other supports;
- developing a housing stability plan, which focuses on meeting basic needs, the supports required to maintain housing, safety, and the impact of the client’s relationships on housing tenure;
- assisting the client to secure financial assistance to meet tenancy obligations, such as paying rent and needed household items as required including assistance with completion of application for Homelessness Prevention Fund as appropriate;
- completing a personalized Crisis Plan with the client as need arises while living in the housing unit;
- assessing risks presented by the client and develop appropriate plans to help ensure continuation of services and mitigate risk;
- creating wellness plans in cooperation with mental health and/or allied professionals and assisting clients in incorporating the wellness plan activities;
- completing with the client, the SPDAT yearly and when notable life changes occur;
- using other case planning tools that may be deemed necessary and appropriate by the Case Manager and Program Manager during case planning such as the Outcome Star, Recovery Star, Readiness Ruler, Decision Scales, and so forth which are subject to the interest of the client,
- writing an Individualized Service (Recovery) Plan identifying the supports required and agreed to by the client;
- convening client case conferences with other agencies, on an as needed basis, for each client on their caseload relative to the client’s individualized plans and progress.

- accompanying the client to viewings and lease signings should a change in tenancy become evident;
- assisting the client in accessing furniture for their apartment for re-housing, as needed;




- initiating and/or reiterating a discussion on what it means to be a responsible tenant, and providing on-going coaching as necessary to ensure that rights and responsibilities are understood
- maintaining contact with Landlord to ensure that there are no issues impacting tenancy and providing mediation/negotiation as required;
- completing monthly check-ins with landlords where clients are residing to ensure that rents have been received and housing placement is stabilized
- Works with the Housing Liaison Worker, and the manager to ensure the required documents for Rent Assistance are completed and reviewed yearly with all tenants receiving subsidies, and do not have supports provided by a Housing First case manager as per the Service Standard – HF – 14 Rent Assistance program;

- Engaging the client with community supports by:

- linking the client to meaningful daily activities as identified in the individual service plan so that the client experiences community integration and supportive social networks. All reasonable efforts are made by the support workers to connect the individual with the resources necessary to optimize success;
- being knowledgeable about the network of community services, supports, and resources.

Required skills and Knowledge

- knowledge of homelessness and affordable housing issues within the community and the strategies to end chronic homelessness which are identified the City of Kingston’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan (Dec 2013);
- ability to apply the principles of a Housing First approach in day-to-day work and interactions with the client;
- knowledge of the operating standards for the program and the program’s expected client outcomes
- knowledge of the resources in the community for individuals, youth and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, living in poverty, or living with mental health or addiction issues and skilled at brokering services for client appropriate to the responsibilities of the job;




- ability to assist in the housing process appropriate to the specific job responsibilities
- ability to integrate harm reduction approaches as appropriate in daily interactions with clients;
- ability to use assertive engagement techniques as appropriate in interactions with the client;
- competence in the administration and interpretation of the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT and full SPDAT) depending on job responsibilities;
- understanding of psycho-social rehabilitation, recovery model, motivational interviewing and journey of change and its influence on client outcomes;
- ability to identify and assess risk and implement strategies which minimize risk to self, the client, and others;
- knowledge of and adherence to privacy legislation and policies within the organization related to confidentiality of client information;
- solid problem solving, conflict resolution and mediation skills within a solution-focused framework;
- knowledge of Residential Tenancy Act and role of Landlord Tenant Board in landlord-tenant disputes;
- excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- ability to enter client data and information including SPDAT scores and case notes into HIFIS as required
- the ability to negotiate and mediate difficult situations and produce positive results
- ability to function as a participating member of the team and understand the work of the team as part of a broader system to end chronic homelessness
- ability to coach on the principles and interventions required in a Housing First program
- background in systems work, data analysis and supporting the work of others to achieve system goals;
- supports a learning culture that stays up-to-date with the main currents of thought and practice in the delivery of Housing First programs

Qualifications and Requirements

- university degree or community college diploma in a related discipline
- minimum three years work experience in human services
- possess a valid Driver’s License and have access to a reliable vehicle, with appropriate insurance
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training or related training
- Trauma Informed Care Training
- First Aid and CPR
- CPIC – vulnerable sector required prior to employment

Hours of Work

- 35 hours per week
- variable shifts Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 8:30pm
- shared on call responsibilities with team

Pay: $43,900.00-$84,600.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Long Term Case Manager Housing First (Kingston)
🏢 Kingston Home Base Non-Profit Housing
📍 Kingston