Housing Coordinator

HOUSING COORDINATOR

Step by Step and Scarborough MHJ Housing Program

One (1) Non-Unionized, Temporary Full-Time Position Until April 2, 2026

Existing Vacancy

Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm

Compensation: $26.29/hour

About Cota 

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness.  These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services.  A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at  https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting.  If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Housing Coordinator is responsible for providing housing administration, coordination and support to Cota's Supportive Housing units within their portfolio, promoting positive relationships with landlords and overseeing the management and administration of the team's rent supplements.

About the Team

Cota's Supportive Housing Programs are provided across the entire city of Toronto and operate within a Housing First model of care, guided by a commitment to provide people experiencing homelessness with access to safe, affordable, and supportive housing as a foundational component of their recovery journey.

At this time, this Housing Coordinator will primarily support our Supportive Housing programs in Scarborough, which represent over 120 units. That said the Housing Coordinator may be required to support Cota's supportive housing programs/units in other areas of the city as well.

The Housing Coordinator will work with a number of Supportive Housing Workers and their respective Manager(s) as they work together to provide housing and support services to individuals who are exiting  homelessness, living with mental health challenges, and may have co-occurring addictions or involvement/risk of involvement with the justice system.

Primary Responsibilities:

Rent Supplement Management

• Responsible for oversight and management of rent supplements within assigned portfolio.
• Responsible for the administration of Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) program for all tenants in the Supportive Housing program according to the Housing Services Act.
• Ensuring ongoing eligibility of tenants for our rent subsidy programs. This includes confirmation of program eligibility based on income sources for both initial and annual assessment.
• Responsible for communication of all RGI and Rent Supplement program related changes to tenants, landlords, and within Arcori property management system.
• Ensuring the Arcori property management system is up to date and accurate, liaising with Cota's Finance team to resolve discrepancies and ensure timely payments to landlords.
• Responsible for the management of tenancy agreements. This includes the collection of rents from tenants, establishing payment schedules to manage any arrears, and addressing Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) issues.
• Review and investigate any unit arrears and/or outstanding payments that are identified by the landlord.
• Responsible for invoice payments related to tenant and program expenses, in coordination with Cota's Finance team.
• Responsible for reviewing Cota's Service Agreements between Cota, the tenant, and landlord, and/or the lease between the landlord and tenant as applicable.

Landlord relations

• Lead and work with team in the search for and acquisition of appropriate housing as required to meet the program's occupancy targets.
• Ensuring new rental units are safe, appropriate and suitable to tenant needs.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with new and existing landlords, and work collaboratively to address any tenant related issues or disputes in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with new and existing landlords, healthcare providers, and community partners.

Support for team

• Work collaboratively with the team's Supportive Housing Workers throughout tenancy process.
• Attend weekly team meeting and other team meetings upon request.
• Support team to follow up with maintenance issue in units on behalf of tenants.
• Provide education on the Residential Tenancies Act and landlord/tenant issues to the service teams.
• Support eviction prevention by collaborating with the service teams to resolve landlord/tenant issues and disputes.
• Work with the service teams and other external committees to develop knowledge transfer and/or education on Housing First model.
• Provide Housing leadership and extensive support to service teams at Cota, and other housing programs with Cota involvement as required.
• Support the teams to coordinate move-ins.
• Support the Director and Program Manager to manage the administration of the rent supplement portfolio.

The Successful Candidate Requires:

 EDUCATION AND EXPERINCE:

• A minimum of a Community College Diploma or post-secondary education related to property management, logistics, project coordination and/or administration.
• A minimum of 2 years of direct or transferable experience in project coordination and/or administration. 

    KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• High proficiency with computer software programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with strict deadlines.
• Skillful approach in proactive problem solving.
• Knowledge and appreciation of housing issues as applicable to the target population.
• Knowledge of legislation and regulations including Residential Tenancies Act.
• Demonstrated ability in crisis management and dispute resolution.
• Ability to demonstrate consistency, reliability and flexibility by maintaining a high standard of performance in your everyday duties.
• Ability to recognize safety issues and adhere to safe work practices.
• Demonstrated client-centered and customer focused approach.
• Effective team player.
• Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictions.
• Familiarity with Arcori, or other property management, software would be considered an asset.

HOURS OF WORK:

• The majority of the working hours (37.5 hours) fall into regular business hours.
• Requires a valid driver's license and reliable car for the purpose of work.

Application Details:

Please forward a cover letter and your current resume on or before March 17th, 2025, by 4:00pm with the reference Job Posting IN356.

Cota is deeply committed to promoting diversity, advancing equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. Being part of Cota, you know that we recognize everyone's contribution. We are also respectful of each individual's dignity, unique experience, potential and protected rights in line with the grounds laid out by the Ontario Human Rights Code. As an equal opportunity employer, we remain dedicated to sustaining an experienced workforce that reflects the diversity of the clients and communities that we serve.

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

Accommodation: Cota is an equal opportunity employer and strives to ensure that its recruitment and selection processes meets the needs of all persons with disabilities. As such, Cota will provide reasonable accommodation for any applicant, as requested during the recruitment process. For any recruitment related accommodation needs and/or requests please contact the HR Department via hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca

Cota values diversity: We welcome applications by qualified candidates from equity-deserving groups, including people with disabilities, Indigenous and racialized people, and queer, trans and gender non-conforming people.

Scent Free: Cota encourages a scent-free environment. Onsite employees, students, volunteers, and visitors are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.).