Be the best YOU!
Being a part of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) means you have a shared passion for supporting youth in reaching their full potential. YOU is a place where your unique background, perspectives, and talents are valued, and help innovate new program ideas to best support youth in our community.
You can make your impact here! Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where the work you do is truly valued. You will have the freedom to excel in your way by serving young people and knowing you are making a difference for our community.
Come be a part of a team that works alongside youth as they work on goals and be there to celebrate when they achieve those milestones. Help us continue creating a community where youth are embraced and will thrive.
Reporting to the Community Outreach Team Lead, the Housing Liaison also known as Housing Locator/Finder will be responsible for working with youth identified by the City of London Coordinated Response as experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness, and in need of housing or re-housing and working from a housing first philosophy. The incumbent will demonstrate skills to support not only participants in programming but also support landlords and the public. In this role, housing liaison will be well versed in the housing market in London and be able to support and navigate housing options for youth along with act as a key contact for London and area landlords and provide sound advice and problem-solving skills when conflict arises. Other duties will be assigned as necessary. Qualified candidates possess exceptional communication and leadership skills, work well in a fast paced and dynamic environment, and hold values that support our corporate vision of being “A community where youth are embraced and will thrive”.
Responsibilities:
- Working with youth identified by the City of London’s Coordinated Response as experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness, and in need of housing or re-housing support
- The incumbent must have superior relationship management skills, customer service, attention to details and be comfortable with a variety of people.
- The incumbent must demonstrate friendliness, creativity, and flexibility in dealing with landlords, the public, youth participants and YOU staff.
- Assisting youth participants and staff with housing search efforts including holding drop-in hours for youth
- Scheduling showings, transporting youth to these showings, and assisting in completing housing applications.
- Housing Liaison is well versed in the housing market in London and surrounding areas and is responsible for identifying and navigating housing options for young people experiencing homelessness
- The Housing Liaison acts as a key contact for London and area landlords when issues or conflicts between the landlord and the youth occurs
- This role will respect and protect the rights of clients as it relates to their housing
Qualifications:
- A minimum of 2-year College Diploma from an accredited institution in a related field
- Knowledge of individuals, specifically youth affected by mental health, justice, addictions, and homelessness
- Knowledge of housing market in London and surrounding areas and a network of local landlords
- Knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act
- Experience working with a diverse population in the community, including mental health, addictions, and persons from various cultural backgrounds, LGBTQ2S groups, and youth
- Demonstrated ability to build interpersonal and supportive relationships with youth clients including conflict resolution
- Certification in First Aid/CPR, Crisis Intervention and Prevention Training (PMAB or CIP)
- Ability to work on weekends and evenings as required (for showings with landlords and youth)
- Willingness and ability to travel within London and surrounding areas
- Valid Ontario Driver’s License (full G class) and ongoing access to a reliable currently insured vehicle
- Clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check for youth population
- Working with youth identified by the City of London’s Coordinated Response as experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness
- Working from a hard reduction model, to support participants who may chose to use illegal substances
- Working independently with minimal on-site supervisor, based on the role being primarily based in the community
- Expected to execute good judgment when working with a youth in acute crisis; including safety planning for participants and self to ensure safety at all times