Housing Retention Worker (Full-Time Contract up to March 31, 2027)

Job Title: Housing Retention Worker (Full-Time Contract up to March 31, 2027)

Department: Housing

Reports To: Housing Manager and Team Lead, Opening Doors Durham (ODD)

Hours of Work: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline: November 11, 2026

Job purpose

The Housing Retention Worker will work in the Opening Doors Durham Program. This program supports landlords that have been onboarded into the program to access financial aid such as a signing bonus, maintenance and repair costs, lost rent as well as pest control.

The Housing Retention Worker will work alongside the Landlord Engagement Specialists (LES) to ensure prospective units are screened for safety and legalities to ensure clients are moving into spaces that will contribute to long-term successful housing placements.

The Housing Retention Worker will work with clients who are housed through the Opening Doors Program. The Housing Retention Worker will educate clients on their rights and responsibilities as tenants and work with them to develop life skills essential to sustaining long-term housing. The Housing Retention Worker will meet with the clients regularly, linking them to services (such as OW, ODSP, Mental Health Support etc.) and ensure that the clients follow through with their responsibilities as tenants with the goal of retaining housing for these individuals.

Company Overview

Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) is an independent, not-for-profit social planning organization that has been working to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families and communities in Durham for over 55 years. We organize a variety of research, community development and social planning initiatives as well as administer and deliver front line social service programs. Please visit us at www.cdcd.org for more information.

Duties and responsibilities

• Using client-centered, anti-oppression, anti-racism, trauma-informed, gender-based analysis plus+ and strength-based approaches, build relationships and establish rapport with existing community partners, vendors, staff and volunteers.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy protection measures for all community partners, vendors, staff, volunteers and clients
• Promote a high-functioning teamwork environment that is inclusive, harmonious, cooperative, efficient and productive.
• Participate in promoting a positive workplace culture through agency committee membership and departmental activities
• Work closely with the Landlord Engagement Specialists and CDCD's Housing team.
• Actively collaborate with and support Housing Workers in Durham Region to access Opening Doors Program support on behalf of tenants
• Attend and participate in progress updates and case conferencing meetings with multi-disciplinary teams for the Opening Doors tenants within your caseload
• Advocate for and support mediation processes that are scheduled between tenants and landlords, with the aim of helping clients save and retain their housing while promoting positive tenant/landlord relations
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy protection for the tenant.
• Provide regular communication with all parties involved
• Conduct regular check ins with clients in the Opening Doors Program to ensure that their tenant responsibilities are being met
• Maintain client files, ensuring confidentiality
• Provide referrals and resources to individuals or families that assist with problem-solving and address immediate needs.
• Prepare cheque requisitions.
• Process program-related invoices and receipts to maintain proper financial reporting.
• Actively participate in and contribute to Opening Doors Program evaluation processes.
• Assist clients with filling out HSP, OWs, COHB, and OSDP applications and gathering documentation.
• Apply and adhere to all program and governance policies
• Ensures that workplace conduct, and activities are in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
• Participate in promoting a positive workplace culture through agency committee membership and departmental activities
• Perform other administrative or program-related duties as assigned by Manager or Team Lead, Landlord Engagement, Opening Doors and Housing Retention.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree/certification in Social Services with experience in housing and community development – or a combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience in a community-based setting, in a housing sector.
• Thorough knowledge of intake and assessment procedures, good knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act and Landlord and Tenant Board is preferred.
• Experience in dealing with landlords, tenant disputes and eviction notices is an asset.
• Knowledge of gender-based violence, anti-oppression, anti-racism principles and trauma-informed and strength-based approaches is required.
• Must be an excellent problem solver and have a strong ability to prioritize case load of multiple service users that are dealing with complex needs.
• Must be a good communicator and presenter with the ability to take and record notes.
• Demonstrates understanding of the Durham Region social service sector and issues faced by equity-deserving and equity-seeking populations we serve.
• Experience in conflict resolution, de-escalation, referral and advocacy for clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Possesses working knowledge of current Windows Operating System, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Must possess a valid Ontario driver’s license (Class G), access to use of a vehicle and insurance with the ability to work in a variety of settings
• Legally entitled to work in Canada

Additional Requirements

• The Housing Retention Worker will need to be flexible in the case of attending evening and/or weekend meetings and events as required
• The physical ability to function effectively in an environment that includes both a normal office and duties being carried out in an external setting
• The successful candidate must provide an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Screening prior to commencing employment.

This job posting relates to an open vacancy. The recruitment process does not involve artificial intelligence or automated decision-making. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are conducted by human reviewers.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants are requested to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their strengths, experience and aptitude to fulfill the position requirements.

CDCD thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those asked for additional information and/or selected for an interview will be contacted.

CDCD is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees. We strive to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that represents the cultural mosaic of the Durham Region and the communities we serve. We recognize the value that comes from the different viewpoints, unique experiences and diverse perspectives of our employees, who bring fresh, new ideas to our business. Diversity plays a key role in our ability to deliver our mission.

CDCD is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion within its community and encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions.

As an employer, CDCD has a duty to accommodate potential candidates throughout the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.