Position: Full-time, Contract Position (12 months), 35 hours/week
Wage: $25.00-$27.01/hr
Vacancy Disclosure: new role
Start Date: February 23, 2026
Reports to: Housing and Homelessness System Coordinator
Summary
The Youth Housing & Outreach Case Manager (HOCM) plays a pivotal role in the enhanced Youth Homelessness Protocol (YHP), a youth-centered initiative designed to prevent and reduce chronic and unsheltered youth homelessness in Elgin County. The HOCM provides individualized case management and system navigation while actively participating in early intervention strategies, real-time diversion, targeted outreach, and housing stabilization. In this enhanced model, HOCMs are embedded within both shelter and outreach teams, working flexible, non-traditional hours to engage youth earlier and prevent shelter entry or unsheltered homelessness from becoming entrenched. They manage acuity-based caseloads, ensuring youth receive the appropriate intensity of support, and contribute to measurable outcomes tied to achieving Youth Functional Zero.
The role includes supporting youth with diversion, rapid re-housing, housing maintenance, and aftercare, as well as facilitating access to specialized community services. The HOCM also administers flexible financial supports.
The HMCM will use evidence-based, client-centered approaches including harm reduction, attachment theory, resiliency theory, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care.
Core Competencies·
- Time Management & Accountability
- Critical, Innovative & Strategic Thinking
- Coaching, Mentoring & Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma-Informed & Culturally Safe Practice
- System Navigation & Warm Referrals
- Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Communication & Collaboration
- Flexibility to Work Non-Traditional Hours
- Advocacy & Community Integration
Job Duties
- Provide individualized case management through one-on-one interaction and group activities, aligned with acuity-based caseload assignments.
- Deliver real-time diversion support at shelter entry or street contact, engaging unsheltered youth through direct outreach.
- Facilitate rapid re-housing, housing stabilization, and aftercare services to support youth in achieving long-term housing goals.
- Administer and track use of flexible funding to address immediate stabilization needs. Communicate respectfully with youth, centering their lived experience, goals, and autonomy.
- Conduct program intakes, orientations, and assessments of youth entering YWCA housing or diversion supports.
- Collaborate with the Director of Housing & Life Stabilization, Manager of Housing and Housing and Homelessness System Coordinator to identify housing placements and prioritize high-acuity cases.
- Build and maintain partnerships across child welfare, education, justice, health, and community sectors, ensuring warm referrals and follow-through.
- Coordinate and facilitate life skills development workshops, events, and community integration opportunities.
- Track performance outcomes in alignment with Built for Zero Canada (BFZ-C) methodology and functional zero definitions, including inflow, outflow, and housing move-ins.
- Attend regular staff and case management meetings, professional development workshops, and training to maintain current knowledge of best practices in youth homelessness prevention.
- Promote the rights, independence, and self-determination of youth, ensuring dignity, privacy, and cultural safety.
- Support youth with problem-solving, resiliency, compatibility, and conflict resolution skills.
- Communicate housing concerns to the Housing Manager regarding facility maintenance and safety.
- Uphold YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin’s mission, vision, and values in all work.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualification & Experience
- Post-secondary degree or diploma in Child and Youth Work, Social Work, Addictions Counselling, or relevant field required.
- Minimum of 3 years experience working with youth; experience in housing, homelessness prevention, or outreach preferred.
- Strong knowledge of harm reduction, diversion, resiliency theory, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing.
- Experience administering flexible funds and/or providing direct financial stabilization supports an asset.
- Familiarity with housing systems, BFZ-C methodology, and By-Name Lists preferred.
- Strong organizational, data tracking, and reporting skills.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Valid driver’s license and access to transportation required.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong administrative and organizational skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Comfortable working with diverse populations using inclusive, nonjudgmental approaches.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and/or case management systems.
- Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity
- Confidentiality and Professionalism
Work Conditions
- Work may include office-based, outreach, shelter, and in-home visits across Elgin County.
- Flexible scheduling required, including evenings and weekends.
- Exposure to challenging environments, including unsheltered settings.
- Manual dexterity required for computer use and data entry.
- Travel required; transporting youth may be part of duties.
- Must be comfortable working in a team setting and handling confidential information.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter to:
Jeannette Singh
Director of Housing & Life Stabilization, jsingh@ywcaste.ca
Application Deadline: February 6, 2026
The YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. If you require accommodations, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
We are grateful to all candidates for their interest in joining the YWCA; however, only those selected to move into the interview process will be contacted.