About Closer To Home Community Services

About Us: Closer to Home Community Services (CTH) is a non-profit organization located in Alberta since 1995. CTH provides a wide range of services designed to meet the unique needs of children, youth and families. Be a part of an innovative team that envisions a world where “every child is thriving within supportive family and community relationships”. Join in our mission to facilitate growth and belonging in communities of meaningful relationships and where our integrity is grounded in evidence-based practice authentically informed by, and connected to, diverse cultural wisdom. Together, we will journey with children and families to uncover strength, hope and healing, creating new possibilities for a brighter future.

About the Position: In this 6-month contract position, the Housing Support Worker works in collaboration with the Calgary Homeless Foundation and the community to ensure housing stability for families in the Home Again Program.

Please note that the Intervention Record Check (IRC) from Children and Family Services and Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (PIC) are one of the non-negotiable compliance requirements for all Closer to Home employees before an offer letter can be issued. We highly encourage all applicants to apply for the IRC and PIC before the interview as it can take up to 6 weeks to process. Please apply for the IRC (free of cost) here and the PIC with Vulnerable Sector Check ($75) here. Please refer to the Qualifications section for the rest of the requirements.

The Housing Support Worker will provide integral support by:

• Developing and maintaining partnership(s) with private landlords in the community
• Negotiating with landlords and advocating on behalf of clients
• Providing crisis support to clients and landlords
• Teaching families skills to support their ability to obtain and maintain housing
• Employing a housing-first approach
• Working with individuals on mental health and addictions issues
• Developing and facilitating skill building workshops, and visiting with clients in their home

Key Responsibilities:

• Partnering with families to develop and track actionable goals regarding financial literacy, education, employment, and basic needs.
• Actively locating suitable housing, facilitating landlord negotiations, and managing applications for subsidized housing programs.
• Integrating families' cultural and spiritual values into their personalized success plans, ensuring service delivery is respectful and inclusive.
• Providing ongoing mentorship and resources to help families maintain housing stability and overcome systemic barriers.
• Utilizing your understanding of the specific housing challenges faced by Indigenous populations to provide tailored, culturally-safe support and advocacy.
• Representing the agency and the family’s interests when collaborating with external community partners and social service networks.
• Participating in ongoing training to master and implement the Teaching-Family Model in all interactions with youth and families.

Qualifications:

• A Diploma or Degree in a related field and/or previous experience working with vulnerable children and families is required
• 1-2 years of experience providing housing support to vulnerable populations
• Willing to work a flexible work week, including evenings and weekends when needed
• This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for work-related purposes. Applicants must show proof of a class 5 Alberta driver's license, a personal vehicle, and a clean 3-year drivers abstract. Applicants must also agree to maintain $2 million liability insurance on their personal vehicle, and consent to the possibility of an annual driver's abstract review to meet our insurance provider’s requirements. Mileage will be reimbursed in alignment with the CRA guidelines and CTH policy.
• First Aid/CPR Level C or higher
• A Police Information Check and an Intervention Record Check must be completed before the hire date.

Required Competencies 

All positions at Closer to Home Community Services require (5) competencies: Instills Trust, Consumer Focus, Communicates Effectively, Situational Adaptability and Ensures Accountability. 

Closing Date: Until suitable candidate is found 

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For more information on our organization, please visit our website at www.closertohome.com.

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), which is comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani and Amskapi Piikani Nations, and the shared territories of the Tsuut’ina Nation and Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, all of whom are the original signatories of the Blackfoot Treaty #7 in Southern Alberta. We also recognize Mohkinstsis (Calgary) as a home to members of the Metis Settlements and communities within Alberta.