Housing Transitions Support Worker

Are you passionate about supporting Indigenous Peoples on their journey toward independent housing and long-term stability? The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH) is seeking a Housing Transitions Support Worker to provide one-on-one, culturally supportive assistance to Indigenous Family Members transitioning from ACEH's culturally supportive housing into independent market housing. This role focuses on building relationships, strengthening life skills, reducing barriers, and empowering Family Members to successfully maintain independent housing while remaining connected to culturally safe supports.

WHO WE ARE: The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) has a vision to lead long-term, systemic change to better meet the needs of our people living away from home and experiencing homelessness. Our work is centered on the voices of Indigenous peoples who have shared their immediate needs, lived experiences, and perspectives on solutions. Through research and experience, we have learned that a culturally-supportive model of care is key, and strategies that include cultural supports provide better outcomes in terms of transitioning and sustaining housing for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to build a culturally safe community and provide opportunities for reconnection to family and ancestral lands, culture, and tradition, to strengthen Indigenous identity and purpose.

Our Vision: Our way is to care for all our people, from the youngest to the oldest. We are all one. Some of our people living away from home are suffering, isolated and homeless. We stand together to end homelessness.

Application Submission: You are required to submit a resume and cover letter that highlights Indigenous ancestry, Indigenous community/organization involvements, education, certifications, relevant experience, and how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will support and contribute to the ACEH and our community through a cultural lens. Applications missing this will be automatically screened out of the selection process. Applications will be received until positions are filled. Only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed.

This position is open to all applicants. Preference will be given to qualified candidates with Indigenous ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.

Job Details:

Position Type: Temporary Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Term: Temporary position till March 31, 2028.

Location: ACEH housing sites throughout Victoria, BC.

Start Date: Conditional on receiving a clearance letter through the Criminal Records Review Program.

Compensation: $31.50 per hour.

Union Dues: This position is included in the bargaining unit and requires union membership. For all hours worked at unionized sites, a deduction of 1.85% for union dues will be deducted in accordance with the Collective Agreement. 

Benefits: 

• Extended health, dental, and vision benefits
• Employer-matched RRSP (up to 5%)
• 3 weeks (15 days) paid vacation annually (6% accrual, pro-rated for part-time)
• 5 paid sick days per year
• Additional sick leave accrued at 1 day per month
• 3 unpaid personal days per year

Key Deliverables: 

• Build respectful, culturally supportive relationships with Indigenous Family Members preparing to transition into independent housing.
• Provide individualized, one-on-one support to Family Members by developing personal goal plans, transition plans, and ongoing action plans that promote housing stability and independence.
• Support Family Members in developing life skills including budgeting, banking, grocery shopping, cooking, household maintenance, tenancy responsibilities, bill payments, and navigating community services.
• Coordinate housing transitions by assisting with housing searches, move planning, packing, transportation, furniture and household set-up, and ongoing follow-up after move-in.
• Advocate for and accompany Family Members to appointments including medical visits, housing appointments, landlord meetings, and other community services.
• Connect Family Members with housing, employment, health, cultural, educational, financial, and community resources that support long-term success.
• Collaborate with House Managers, Cultural Mentors, Auntys, Elders, the CAIS team, and other ACEH programs to provide coordinated and culturally safe supports.
• Support Family Members in accessing cultural programming, land-based healing opportunities, family reunification, and connections to their home communities where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate case notes, documentation, goal plans, and participant records within the Case Management Administration System (CAMS).
• Monitor participant progress, evaluate outcomes, contribute to program reporting, and provide recommendations to support ongoing program development.
• Manage program resources and budgets related to participant supports, move-in supplies, cultural items, and basic household needs.
• Participate in mandatory meetings, training, and organizational initiatives while supporting continuous improvement of ACEH services.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Minimum one (1) year of related experience working with vulnerable populations, housing support, family support services, social services, or community-based programs.
• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples and marginalized populations.
• Experience working within non-profit organizations, housing programs, family support services, or homelessness services is considered an asset.
• Experience coordinating community initiatives, outreach, or engagement activities is considered an asset.
• Valid First Aid and CPR Certification is preferred.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver's License and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Clearance Letter through the Ministry of Justice Criminal Records Review Program for working with vulnerable adults.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Progressive understanding of persistent mental illness, addictions, trauma, and other challenges and how these impact people's overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
• Ability to work holistically, professionally, trauma-informed, and non-judgmentally with a broad range of personalities, cultures, lived experiences, and abilities.
• Ability to effectively respond and adjust to unexpected events, assess high-risk situations, problem-solve, provide crisis intervention, and manage conflict in a culturally supportive manner.
• Ability to build trusting relationships and provide strengths-based, participant-centered support that promotes independence.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written, electronic, and verbal communication skills to support collaborative practice and respectful, culturally safe environments.
• Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of colonization, Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, intergenerational trauma, and the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation, use electronic case management systems, and contribute to program evaluation and reporting.