Title: WISH Housing Support Worker
Department: Housing
Reports to: Supporting Housing for Individuals Team Lead
Status: Full-Time (37.5 hours / week), Permanent
Salary: $50,000 - $54,000
Location: Halifax, NS
Deadline: 04/09/2026
YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, disAbility, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.
YWCA Halifax is a progressive, multi-service, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people and their families at critical turning points in their lives. We work to transform lives by providing a continuum of services and programs that drive lasting positive change. We strive to change the underlying issues that are root causes of inequality, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Our four program focus areas include: promoting the health, wellness, and leadership of women and girls; advancing women’s economic and housing security; delivering quality, accessible, early learning, and childcare; and working to end violence against women, girls and gender diverse people.
Why work for the YWCA
Staff at YWCA Halifax enjoy a supportive and dynamic team environment, a commitment to staff growth, a connection to the national and international YWCA movements, learning from colleagues in a multiservice agency, and a strong shared vision.
Why YOU should apply
Even if you don’t have all the requirements listed in this position, you may be the right candidate. If you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail and a passion for social justice and gender equity, we want to hear from you. Take a chance and apply. Tell us how you can make a difference through your YWCA.
Program Overview:
The WISH Housing Support Worker (HSW) contributes to the overall success of the WISH Program and YWCA Halifax by providing participant -centered supports to all WISH participants under the direction of the Individuals Team Lead & Housing Manager: as necessary to support participant case plans. The WISH HSW researches best practices in preventing and alleviating homelessness and assists in updating procedures and practices to incorporate best practices.
The WISH Housing Support Worker is responsible to identify risk management concerns in their area of responsibility when conducting program activities and support. The WISH HSW is responsible to follow all YWCA procedures, policies, and ensuring they work safely at all times. The WISH HSW contributes to the advancement and achievement of the YWCA mission, vision, values, guiding principles, strategic plan, business plan, and departmental plan. Work is guided by using a Harm Reduction, Participant-Centered, Housing First, and Trauma Informed model.
Essential Duties of Position:
Advance the vision and mission of the YWCA of Halifax
Program Delivery:
- Responsible for direct service delivery to participants, case planning, case management, securing resources for participants, working with participants on transitions, advocacy, and referrals. Attend support plan meetings, and appointment accompaniment.
- Assists with intake and move in/out procedures in coordination with the Housing and Intake Coordinator.
- Responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with external program partners including Department of Community Services staff, referral and program partners, donors, and health care providers.
- Maintaining data and contributing to funder and internal reports.
- Actively achieving goals/objectives/outcomes, and reporting on results in relation to work plans. Tracking results to outcomes as required.
- Responsible for participant risk assessments and safety planning.
- Ensures high quality of direct service for program participants, assists in administration of program evaluation to assess the strengths of the program and to identify and assess areas for improvement.
- Ensures that program activities are complying with all relevant legislation, insurance coverage, and reports deficiencies to Team Lead
- Ensure that participant information files are properly maintained and kept confidential.
- Provide on-call support during weekends and after business hours to participants and property managers.
Financial Management:
- Responsible for submitting monthly billing and operational documentation to supervisor
- Responsible for safe use and storage of YWCA property, which includes cell phone, laptop, unit/office keys, and other YWCA equipment.
- Follows the direction of the supervisor to ensure that program expenditures fall within budget guidelines, fall within YWCA financial policies and procedures, and obtains supervisor approval for all program expenditures.
- Staff/ Volunteer / Student Supervision
- Under the direction of the supervisor, orients program staff, volunteers/students to housing programs to ensure compliance with organizational standards and procedures, to achieve program/project outcomes/goals.
- Monitors and mentors volunteers/students to achieve program outcomes.
Other Duties:
- Serves in community/sector task forces and committees as appropriate.
- Participates in YWCA and community-based advocacy and fundraising activities that are consistent with YWCA policies.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Ensures the maintenance of all files, information systems, and databases related to areas of responsibility.
- Other duties as delegated by the supervisor
Working Conditions:
- Works partially in an office environment. Direct service delivery will take employees to non-standard workplaces: i.e., home visitation with program participants, accompanying participants to community-based services, etc.
- Usually works a standard workweek with pre-set hours but may be required to work some evenings and weekends to meet project/program milestones, deadlines, or deliver programs/services. Schedules and adjustments approved by supervisor
- May be required to serve in an on-call capacity; for which time in lieu compensation will be provided.
- Work can be physically demanding, including lifting household items, entering private participant homes, possible exposure to transferrable bugs, and supporting the cleaning/transition of apartments.
- This position requires the employee to have their own reliable vehicle. There is significant driving across HRM as WISH units are scattered site.
Special Conditions of Employment
Must have completed Red Cross First Aid and CPR training, Work Hazard and Safety Training (WHIMIS), and a Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Abuse Registry. Must have access to an insured, reliable vehicle for home visits and outreach activities. Must also have ASIST, NVCI, Mental Health First Aid, or willingness to complete.
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor’s in social work, Human Services or related field preferred, or minimum 2 years work experience working with marginalized populations preferably in a housing setting. Experience in working with individuals who have multiple barriers, women or gender diverse individuals who are homeless or at risk, and those who face mental health and addiction concerns. Strong conflict resolution and advocacy skills, knowledge of community resources, excellent organizational and communication (both written and oral) skills and the ability to work collaboratively with community partners. Familiar working with evaluation in an outcome based framework. Experience in case management, and delivery of direct supports services on an outreach basis required. Strong administrative skills, strong advocacy skills and an ability to work independently and in a team environment, effective interpersonal, high level of computer literacy, ability to maintain a collaborative partnership internal and external to the organization, knowledge of community development strategies from a feminist theoretical perspective. Familiar with HIFIS (Homeless Individuals and Families Information Systems, a national database that tracks statistics related to homelessness) is considered an asset.
If interested, please send your cover letter and resume in one document to [email protected] Line: WISH Housing Support Worker
Pay: $50,000.00-$54,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: On the road
