Niagara Region Looking for Housing Access Unit Coordinator at Niagara, ON Full Time

Housing / Hostels / Homelessness

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees.

Approximate Duration: 4 months

Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

Please note that effective February 12, 2023 mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer required as per the Niagara Region’s amended COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. As a result, you will not be required to submit verification of your vaccination status before starting employment with the Niagara Region. However, the Niagara Region continues to reserve the right to reintroduce vaccination requirements in the future if necessary to respond to changing public health advice andor government direction. The Niagara Region continues to strongly encourage everyone to remain up-to-date with vaccinations.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the delivery and administration of a number of funded programs targeted at applicants on the centralized wait list for social housing. This position will evaluate, assess and monitor applicants eligible to receive a rent benefit and act as a resource to address the needs of individual applicants. Responsible for the placement and leasing of Rent Supplement housing units on a modified chronological basis within a restricted time frame in order to achieve departmental objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• 2-year post-secondary diploma in Social Services, Business or other related field

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

• At least 2 years of senior administrative experience in a fast paced computerized office environment within a human services or social housing environment or other related field

SKILLS

• Course/certificate Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) training
• Knowledge of various codes, including Residential Tenancies Act and Housing Services Act
• Yardi property management or wait list software programs, One-Key Ministry of Finance system
• Bilingual English and French preferred

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screening, selecting and issuing conditional approval for rent benefits according to various Rent Benefit program guidelines
• Entering into formal agreements related to rent benefit programs
• Monthly monitoring of participant benefit payments and making recommendations for possible termination if non-compliant
• Preparing monthly statistical reports
• Providing ongoing communication and promotion delivery oversight within such activities as individual referrals to community sports and community-based agencies while protecting the privacy of individuals
• Connecting with Niagara Region to issue payments on behalf of NRH
• Enters landlord agreements, tenant agreements and payments to tenants in property management system
• Initiate and follow to completion the entire tenant file within the various software systems incl. application, assessment, approval and finance
• Provide assessments and recommendations to the Housing Access Supervisor and Manager Housing Programs where appropriate regarding program delivery
• Reviewing for potential approval of all rent benefit tenant initial subsidy calculations while ensuring that tenants have provided all required documentation
• Verifying and performing system payment approvals to landlords as well as households ensuring payments are issued on time
• Ensuring the tenant portion of payments is calculated correctly as part of Niagara Regional Housing portion of payment to specific landlords, in accordance with the respective agreement in place with the landlord
• Correspond with agencies to collect client data
• Providing advice and guidance on the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) administration under the Housing Services Act, 2011
• Ensuring programs comply with program guidelines set by the province
• Provides input into new/revised policies and procedures ensuring compliance with government funding programs
• Ensures effective processes, policies, and practices are in place and support legislative requirements, monitoring compliance and addressing issues when delivering programs
• Providing guidance to landlords and clients with respect to various acts, legislations and relevant guidelines, including Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), privacy legislation (MFIPPA, PIPEDA, PHIPA), and the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) Housing Services Act (HSA)
• Providing assistance in ensuring that the financial reporting of the various programs are in place to meet funding requirements
• Responding to complex situations that arise by recommending appropriate solutions to problem solve the required resource to assist with appropriate solutions
• Ensures client centred service when selecting programs that will accommodate clients’ needs
• Ensuring that the public has a positive impression of Niagara Region, Housing Services
• Responsible for all monthly, quarterly and annual reporting
• Helps to break down barriers to client success, ensuring collaboration and cooperation with program policies
• Handles irritated and difficult tenants or applicants as a first level of escalation and response
• Ensure consistency and compliance of social service agencies and community partners by providing access to common application forms, criteria for priority status, requested documentation, and maintaining a directory of information documents, policies, guidelines and procedures in relation to housing programs information, common application, wait list management system and tenant/member placement, funding availability or yearly allotment
• Confirming family composition and occupancy standards, citizenship and income sourcesProvides guidance to junior eligibility/wait list staff positions
• Managing the Tenant Placement Process for rent Supplement Units including but not limited to:
  
• Ensuring Niagara Regional Housing and rent supplement landlord comply with agreements and program policies, and provisions
• Reviewing applicant concerns and/or complaints with the rent supplement landlord and applicant, including mediation when warranted
• Update and record accurate information in applicable software
• Contacting tenants and/or their community partners to re-confirm eligibility, and to offer units if applicable
• Providing tenants with guidance throughout the placement process
• Managing and coordinating logistics with tenants and their community partners (i.e. family, etc.), including unit viewing, income verification process, what is needed, and providing contact information to gather forms (i.e. contact Revenue Canada)
• Calculating Rent-Geared-to-Income
• Coordinating placement offers with Rent supplement Landlords
• Verifying income through the collection of income-source documents
• Maintain relationships with Rent Supplement landlords to preserve current housing stock and add additional units as funding allows
• Entering new tenancies into property management system
• Discussing Rent Supplement agreement with tenants and/or their community partners about their obligations and implications to various actions
• Ensuring new tenants receive appropriate documents, pamphlets, tenant handbook, etc.
• Scheduling lease signing appointments
• Support the tenant transition into Rent Supplement existing units, transfers, as well as the process to fill vacancies in new development / new agreement locations
• Collaboration and cooperation with other teams within their division and department as reporting structure overlaps other divisions
• Communicating and resolving issues with community agency partners regarding specific program policies housing providers and reporting to department supervisor / manager when all resolution avenues have been exhausted
• Managing the Rent Supplement internal transfer waitlist process and conducting related administrative tasks, including but not limited to:
  
• Approaching the transfer waitlist in a similar manner as the “Tenant Placement Process” noted above
• Conducting administrative tasks such as processing transfer requests, communicating decisions in writing, and statistical reporting
• Reviews Priority requests:
• Assessing Priority Group and Hard-to-Serve applicant requests
• Communicating decisions in writing
• Preparing documentation for appeals committee where priority status has been denied
• Remove priority status once no longer meets criteria
• Conducting ongoing data collection, including but not limited to:
  
• Preparing quarterly reports for submission to Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Obtaining the necessary data to prepare monthly reports on the program
• Cover Housing Access Supervisor:
• Assist Housing Access staff
• Provide Waitlist solutions to housing providers
• Respond / reply to clients, community agencies and or all levels of government (problem solve, Mediate, explain information)
• Verify and approve Tenant Placement Coordinator RGI rent calculations
• Additional duties as assigned.

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges TODAY!

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application.

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

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 905-980-6000 or 1-800-263-7215
• Bell Relay: 1-800-855-0511
• In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department