Housing Support Worker - Phoenix Centre for Youth

FULL-TIME, TERM

TERM PERIOD: AS SOON AS POSSIBLE - AUGUST 13, 2027

Since 1987, Phoenix has been dedicated to supporting youth and contributing to a vibrant community. Phoenix’s over fourteen locations in Halifax, N.S. provide a continuum of care for youth aged 11-24 and their families. Our team of caring professionals recognizes that each person who comes to us has individual needs as well as strengths. People are the leaders in their own lives; Phoenix is a leader in supporting them.

A staff group that represents the diversity of the people and communities we serve is of the utmost importance. Phoenix is committed to reducing barriers that have traditionally impacted access to employment and career growth. As such, we encourage those interested to self-identify their ethnicity, and or race, gender, sexuality, ability, etc. We also invite you to share your pronouns in your cover letter or resume.

Position Overview: At Phoenix Youth Programs, we believe youth deserve more than survival. They deserve safety, stability, belonging, and the chance to build lives shaped by their own hopes and strengths.

We’re looking for a Housing Support Worker to journey alongside youth who are experiencing housing insecurity or are at risk of being unhoused. This role is about partnership, not fixing; about listening, not directing; about meeting youth where they are and supporting them as they move toward housing and greater stability at their own pace.

The Housing Support Worker will work closely with youth and staff at Phoenix Centre for Youth (PCFY) and Phoenix Youth Shelter (PYS), as well as with other Housing Support Workers across HRM. The focus of this role will be to support and understand youth’s housing needs and work with the youth to develop a path towards desired housing. The Housing Support Worker will work with the youth to explore options for housing to meet their needs. The role will also involve identifying and coordinating additional supports and services that help youth access and maintain stable housing.

If you lead with compassion, curiosity, and dignity, and recognize that trauma shapes how people show up and that trust is built over time, you may be a great fit for our team.

At Phoenix Youth Programs, we value relationship, dignity, youth voice and choice, and anti-oppressive practice. We believe healing happens in connection and that meaningful change often looks like small, steady steps. We also know the work can be hands-on (yes, moving days happen and we are thankful for lots of donations from the community), unpredictable, and deeply human and we support one another through it.

Program Overview (PCFY): Phoenix Centre for Youth is a street-front, walk-in service offering counselling, referral to community resources, advocacy, health services, parenting support, food, showers, and laundry facilities for youth aged 16-24 who are unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused.

The Housing Support Worker will work in a shared office space located in a three-storey building in downtown Halifax. Access to the building and its interior is via stairs. The facility features gender-neutral washrooms, staff and youth kitchens, private offices, a common room for youth visiting the Centre, computer access for youth, parenting supplies, and a donation room.

Program Overview (PYS): Phoenix Youth Shelter is a 20-bed emergency shelter for youth. Services offered include support, crisis intervention, the provision of basic needs, referrals, on-site health care, and support to develop independent living skills. In addition, staff support and provide guidance for securing housing, education, parenting support, exploring career options, and accessing income assistance and recreational opportunities.

Compensation: $49,779 base annual salary (prorated for the duration of the term), comprehensive group medical insurance plan, Employee and Family Assistance Program, 3% employer paid RRSP contribution, 3 weeks of vacation in the first year and 4 weeks of vacation in the second year, generous sick leave, a generous paid holiday schedule, in-house trainings, and professional development opportunities.

Reports to: Manager, Phoenix Centre for Youth

Location: Phoenix Centre for Youth, Coburg Rd.

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with some flexibility for evening work.

Screening Requirements: Due to the sensitive nature of our work with youth, this position is subject to a satisfactory criminal record check including a vulnerable sector search, a child abuse register check and proof of education.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you will:

Build trusting, respectful relationships with youth, centred on their goals, strengths, and lived experience

Support youth in finding and maintaining safe, stable housing, recognizing that housing journeys are rarely linear

Work collaboratively within a supportive, multidisciplinary team, sharing responsibility and care

Partner with landlords, property managers, and community supports across HRM to advocate for youth

Journey alongside youth through challenges such as crises, eviction risk, system navigation, and goal planning always prioritizing dignity and choice

Provide practical support during moves, including packing, cleaning, and settling in, in ways that reduce stress and promote safety

Maintain clear, accurate, and confidential documentation that reflects both outcomes and the relational nature of the work

Participate in program development, team initiatives, and committees that strengthen our services

Represent Phoenix through community engagement and public education, grounded in compassion and respect

Support the training and onboarding of new staff, sharing knowledge, modelling trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practice, and helping new team members feel welcomed and supported

Knowledge, skills, abilities and other requirements

Demonstrated high level of understanding of youth development and the issues of housing insecurity

Demonstrated high level of understanding in a housing first model and approach

Demonstrated skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, narrative practice, a client-directed approach, and a social justice perspective)

Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention

Demonstrate knowledge of trusteeship programs and effective money management

Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication, youth service and organizational skills

Demonstrated ability to build appropriate and healthy rapport with at-risk and unhoused youth

Extensive knowledge of community resources and the social service delivery system

A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is an asset

Ability to work in a team environment

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.

Education and experience

Bachelor of Social Work, or an undergraduate degree and Human Services diploma or other relevant undergraduate degree.

Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification, or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).

At least five years of experience working with at-risk and unhoused youth providing case management and advocacy.

Non-violent crisis intervention (CPI), suicide intervention (ASIST), standard first aid or a commitment to secure those requirements within six months of being hired. These trainings are also offered in-house for free.

Experience in program development.

Experience working for a walk-in centre, or a non-profit organization is an asset.

TO APPLY

• Please note that interviews may take place during the posting period.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter (in Word or as a PDF document) to ***email_hidden***, with the subject line “Housing Support Worker”. Your resume should contain pertinent information about your qualifications and experiences, and your cover letter should let us know why this is the job for you. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as received till Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11.59am (AST).

Accommodation: Phoenix is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where every candidate feels respected and supported. We embrace equal opportunity in our recruitment and selection process and strive to meet the unique needs of all applicants. Phoenix will gladly provide accommodation to the best of our ability to ensure equitable access throughout the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during any stage of recruitment, please feel free to indicate this in your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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