Housing Relations Support Worker

Administration & Digital Communications Coordinator

Job Posting

Are you a changemaker? Come on INN!

Who Are We?

We’re an amazing team, doing amazing things every day. Inn from the Cold is the largest organization in the Calgary region dedicated to supporting families experiencing a housing crisis.

At Inn from the Cold, we offer more than a job; we provide an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of families in need. Our values guide us — compassion, accountability, respect, inclusivity, courage, and innovation. We are driven by our vision of a thriving community where every child and family has a safe and stable place to call home.

We prioritize people, recognizing the uniqueness and worth of everyone who walks through our doors. Our commitment to reconciliation and equity is not just a statement; it's a journey we're dedicated to, actively working alongside Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities to dismantle oppressive structures. As a trauma informed organization, we create a safe and supportive environment, promoting healing and resilience.

We are a multidisciplinary team united by a shared vision, mission and values. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, and we believe that diverse perspectives drive our success. It is this diversity and the respect and value we have for each other and our community that makes us stronger.

If this sounds like a place where you would want to work, please review the position below to see if there’s a fit with your skills and experience.

What Are We Looking For?

Position Title     Housing Relations Support Worker

Job Type            Full Time

Department       Programs

Reports to          Manager, Indigenous Engagement

Position Overview

The Housing & Relations Support Worker provides housing focused and trauma-informed services to families living in a 52-unit supportive housing community in the Whitehorn neighborhood of Calgary. This community is specifically designed for Indigenous and newcomer families facing precarious housing situations or homelessness. The Support Worker plays a key role in fostering housing stability, offering tenancy support, and building a sense of community within Whitehorn.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, the Support Worker operates under the guidance of the Team Lead, Housing Relations Support Worker to ensure coordinated and consistent service delivery. The role is grounded in a Housing Focused and Recovery Oriented model, integrating cultural and trauma-informed practices to support families in maintaining their homes, building skills, and thriving in their community.

This position requires close collaboration with the Community Hub Coordinator and the Miskanawah Cultural Program team to encourage families to participate in community programming, cultural activities, and to foster meaningful connections with other residents. The overarching goal is to help create a safe and stable living environment for all families.

What You’ll Do

       1. Intake and Initial Housing Support

Reach out to families who have been referred to the program through Inn from the Cold, Miskanawah, and other community partners.

Establish and maintain initial contact with referred families to review the application process, assess the family’s strengths and needs, and facilitate the intake process and lease application.

Assist families with the initial housing setup and lease signing, move-in process, and provide orientation to the building and community.

Support families in securing income supports, such as AB Works, AISH, other government benefits, or employment opportunities.

Attend unit walk-throughs and lease signings, when possible, to ensure a smooth transition for families.

Offer guidance and assistance for healthy family interactions within the housing community.

      2. Family Support Plan Development and Implementation 

Collaborate with families to identify their goals, barriers, and strategies for maintaining housing and overall wellness.

Work collaboratively with the Senior Housing Worker to ensure a comprehensive family support plan is developed with each family.

Provide individualized planning and crisis support as needed to address each family's unique circumstances.

Utilize housing focused, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed practice methods to support family stability and well-being.

Help families access programming and resources that are grounded in Indigenous worldview and cultural traditions.

       3. Ongoing Family Support and Care

Meet individually with families at a frequency determined by their needs, beginning with weekly visits.

Conduct meetings both in family homes and within the broader community.

Provide advocacy, referrals, and support in navigating various systems and services.

Offer guidance and skill-building in maintaining safe and healthy lifestyles, including safety and wellness planning.

Liaise with Child and Family Services (CFS) when necessary, providing culturally safe and trauma-informed advocacy, and participate in planning meetings alongside families.

Research and connect clients with community resources and opportunities that align with their goals and well-being.

Participate in weekly case consultations with leadership to review and support family progress.

Contribute to the planning and documentation of bi-weekly Community of Practice meetings and learning circles.

Attend required trainings and share knowledge and best practices with team members.

Take part in organizational activities, including team meetings, town halls, and employee or volunteer engagement initiatives.

       4. Documentation & Reporting

Maintain accurate, timely, and trauma-informed case notes, assessments, and records in designated systems.

Complete periodic (quarterly) Medicine Wheel surveys to monitor and reflect family progress and growth.

Ensure that client physical files are managed according to agency standards, including the collection of signed documents, assessments, and incident reports.

Track and report on family progress and participation in programming.

Work collaboratively with the Data Research and Evaluation (DRE) Team to maintain accurate statistics and data in the HOMES database.

This position description reflects the general duties of the position, but it is not intended to be a detailed description of all duties that may be inherent in the position. The Housing Relations Support Worker will be asked to perform other duties as required or assigned.

What You Bring to Our Mission

Diploma in social services or a related field, or equivalent lived or work experience.

Lived Indigenous experience is valued and respectfully preferred.

Knowledge of issues and experience supporting families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Understanding of housing focused, recovery oriented, and trauma informed practice.

Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, traditions, community protocols, and Indigenous-informed practices is preferred.

Ability to work effectively and safely in the community without direct support or supervision.

Ability to support clients with empathy, courtesy and respect, and supporting client choice and autonomy.

Experience working with newcomer families is considered an asset.

Strong skills in crisis intervention, de-escalation, conflict resolution, and advocacy.

Excellent ability to build relationships and collaborate with others.

Demonstrated ability to support clients with empathy, courtesy and respect, and supporting client choice and autonomy.

Strong work ethic, sound judgment, and reasoning skills, along with a commitment to discretion and family and staff confidentiality

Excellent teamwork skills, and experience in a multidisciplinary environment.

Able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing

Proficient documentation, including case notes and case plans, and survey reporting skills using a client information management system.

Computer literacy skills are required, including the ability to use MS Office 365 and Teams.

Strong time management, planning and organizational skills

Committed to fostering a positive workplace and team culture

Valid class 5 driver’s license, and reliable vehicle required.

Current First Aid/CPR, Suicide Intervention (ASIST) and De-escalation training required.

What We Offer

We provide people with meaningful work and are committed to offering equitable benefits and total compensation to all staff, including:

Competitive salary, where all employees are paid a living wage at minimum

Focus on health and wellbeing, including access to employer paid extended health benefits, dental benefits, annual health spending account and employer matched RRSP contributions

Commitment to your mental wellbeing with free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program

Work life balance, including paid vacation starting at three weeks, wellness days, and 12 paid statutory holidays

Supportive and flexible work environment, with ongoing training and development opportunities

Potlucks, celebrations, employee engagement initiatives and plenty of fun

Strong commitment to advancing reconciliation, aligning with the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Recognition that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength in diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Our Commitment

Join us in a workplace where your actions contribute to breaking down barriers, fostering equity, and creating a truly inclusive and antiracist space. At Inn from the Cold, you're not just an employee but a crucial part of a community, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The INN is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is valued and prioritized. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about our mission and can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value unique perspectives and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of talents and skills. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, place of origin, source of income, mental and physical disability, age or veteran status.

Join Our Team

We are excited to hear from you! We invite you to join our movement to end family homelessness in our city. If you are passionate about making a difference and meet the qualifications above, please submit your resume and cover letter at innfromthecold.org/careers

The successful candidate must satisfactorily complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until a successful candidate is found.

Inn from the Cold is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. To request an accommodation, please contact us at [email protected] before your interview.