Housing Supply Specialist (Region of Peel)

Housing Supply Specialist

Human Services – Housing Services
Status: 1 Contract Full Time of 13 Months 
Salary Range: $89,469 to $111,834 per annum (plus comprehensive benefits, where applicable) 
Work Mode: Remote *see below for more details about this work mode. 
Location: 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Deadline: April 4, 2024
 
Who we are: Housing Services leads service system planning and management of housing and homelessness programs and services with a view to policy and service integration. Helps improve these services through effective planning, based on local information and research about the needs of Peel’s many different communities.
 
“Housing Services is passionately committed to ensuring stable, affordable, appropriate housing and supports in Peel. We manage a collaborative system of care focused on delivering services with compassion and respect in a way that preserves dignity.”
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We plan, manage and delivery quality, integrated human services and resources that invest in people to enable participation in the changing community and the economy.
 
The Housing Supply Specialist is fundamental in providing oversight and support to Housing Providers under the Housing Services Act (HSA) and other applicable legislations. It includes carrying out the duties of the Service Manager, as set out in the Act.
 
As the Housing Supply Specialist, you will ensure that existing and new housing providers meet their obligations in compliance with the Provincial Housing legislation and regulations, Regional policies and standards, various housing program operating agreements and other applicable legislation. In this role, you will also be required to implement new housing supply initiatives to increase new stock and optimize existing stock in the system. You will lead monitoring processes, operational policy, operational reviews, the implementation of intervention actions, system level solutions and management agreements between Peel Region and the providers/partners as required for programs along the housing continuum.
 
What you will do in this role:
  • Leads and administers the implementation of affordable and social housing legislation, policies, guidelines, standards and operating agreements with non-profit and co-op housing providers and landlords assuring legal and financial Regional interests are protected.
  • Responsible for operational contracts, related to facilities management, for shelters, supportive and transitional housing providers.
  • Provides advice and guidance on property management and building maintenance issues to ensure effective day to day management of housing programs (e.g. recommendations on best practices and obligations under the Provincial Housing legislation and other relevant legislation).
  • Assesses the governance and operational management of housing providers in Peel Region.
  • Responsible for the ongoing viability of the housing inventory in Peel Region.
  • Provides planning advice into program development and operational aspects of new affordable housing developments.
  • Conducts program/operational reviews with housing providers to ensure compliance with program requirements and to promote best practices.
  • Identifies opportunities for enhanced programs, services or new supply in concert with various Region of Peel departments and housing providers with a focus on system level solutions for opportunities within the housing system.
  • Collaborates and strategizes with our partners (i.e., housing providers, sector organizations, service agencies, Board of Directors, government agencies, municipal staff, senior management staff etc.) to ensure viable and ongoing business partnerships and successful tenancies.
  • Provides information to landlords and providers on legislation, governance issues, rent calculations, maintenance and eviction prevention strategies and eviction procedures.
  • Addresses housing issues raised by clients via phone, in person or in attendance at Board meetings.
  • Applies win-win conflict resolution skills in resolving complex and contentious matters with Boards of Directors, property managers, tenants (through their Housing Support Worker or Housing Representative) and neighbours.
  • Supports providers in the development and implementation of programs and new initiatives in order to ensure compliance with legislation and successful tenancies.
  • Liaises with auditors, internal and external legal representatives, and property management companies on specific provider issues.
  • Supports the management of stakeholder groups and related work groups by coordinating agendas and training that meets provider needs.
  • Liaises and actively seeks engagement of stakeholders and community partners on upcoming initiatives, and the implementation of programs, process and policies.
  • Prepares business cases/reports/briefing notes with options and recommendations to inform senior management decision making and drafts correspondence as required for senior management signatures.
  • Writes submissions to Provincial, Federal, and Area Municipal governments, as required to meet program needs.
  • Writes Council and Committee reports as required.
  • Ensures compliance with Provincial and Regional occupational health and safety legislation, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Ensures confidentiality is maintained in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or other related and applicable legislation.
  • Develops and manages intervention and risk management strategies for providers/operators who may be in non-compliance with legislative or policy requirements or who are encountering operational and/or financial difficulties.
  • Identifies issues that are controversial, or increase risk in such areas as governance, financial, operational and building issues, and in consultation with internal partners (e.g. legal and finance staff), develops and implements strategies to address the issues.
  • Recommends, implements and monitors the risk management strategies regarding controversial and sensitive issues.
  • Works with the Finance Division to analyze and monitor financial performance of housing providers/operators by reviewing budgets, in-year requests for subsidy/funding, impact of funding model and annual reconciliations.
  • Works with the Finance Division to review, negotiate and recommends approval for housing provider/operator operating and capital budget subsidies.
  • Provides advice and guidance to housing providers and property managers on budget and year-end reporting processes and day-to-day financial and administrative procedures to ensure the effective and efficient use of funds.
  • Review various funding sources to identify opportunities to increase housing supply
  • Participates in external and internal related housing committees and networks as required.
What the role requires:
  • Post-secondary education in business/public administration, social science or related field with 3-5 years related work experience in housing, policy or property management or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  • Ability to analyze and synthesize housing information in order to provide sound recommendations on issues influencing policy and process.
  • Ability to interpret and evaluate data and information to improve existing programs and develop performance standards as per funding requirements.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing new approaches or processes as it relates to increasing housing stock options.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation pertaining to housing and homelessness administration, planning and financial management to identify housing providers’ and operators’ capacity for effective housing management and to ensure compliance with legislation/policies/standards.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Rent Geared to Income administration as prescribed under the Housing Services Act and other Housing Programs.
  • Knowledge of property management principles.
  • Ability to link providers and landlords to tenants to necessary supports provided by the Region of Peel or within the community.
  • Working knowledge of methodologies such as project management, change management, corporate process management and improvement.
Skills/Abilities: 
  • Leadership skills necessary to provide direction to housing provider/operator agency staff and Boards of Directors.
  • Strong mediation, negotiation and problem-solving skills that balance compliance role with resource and support role.
  • Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external contacts.
  • Strong financial and budgeting skills which includes knowledge of business accounting and program administration principles and practices.
  • Effective time management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Well developed communication and consulting skills with the ability to deliver public presentations and facilitate stakeholder engagement.
  • Proven ability to resolve conflict while using the ability to respond with tact and diplomacy.
  • Use of sound judgment and critical thinking is required when strategizing with various audiences.
  • Knowledge of multiple computer applications, including MSOffice, EIM and LotusNotes.
  • Political awareness, sufficient to identify and respond to situations; to understand the various parties and stakeholders involved in decision making processes and to anticipate their likely reaction to statements, proposals, recommendations and situations.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
Perks @ Peel and why you will love working for us:
  • Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision benefit plan including psychological health (effective start date)
  • Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan (where applicable) 
  • Accrue Vacation on a monthly basis (where applicable) up to 3 weeks per annum 
  • 3 Paid personal days and floating holidays
  • Flexible hours supporting your wellness and wellbeing
  • Annual performance review and merit increases based on performance
  • Supportive leadership and a culture of respect and inclusion 
  • Access to tuition reimbursement (where applicable) and learning and development resources
Work Mode & Job Location: In this role you will have the ability to work mostly remote.  You will be required to occasionally attend on-site meetings based on operational requirements at the 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton worksite. Your remote work location must be located within the province of Ontario.
 
The Region of Peel offers job based flexible hours of work that allows employees to manage personal and professional responsibilities while at the same time ensures business operational needs and customer service expectations are achieved.    
 
Interview: Our recruitment process will be completed with video conference technology.
 
Assessment: There will be an Assessment to be completed as part of the recruitment process. All communication will be sent to the email address attached to your application submission.
 
Kindly ensure to regularly monitor your spam and junk email folders, as important communications regarding your application may be directed there.
  
If this opportunity matches your qualifications and experience, please apply on-line.