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Housing Based Case Manager (HBCM)
Job title: Housing Based Case Manager (HBCM)
Reports to: Manager, Community Programs and Services
Hours: 37.5 hours/week
Language: Bilingual Essential (English, French)
Wage: $26.65 per hour (non-negotiable – unionized organization)
About E Fry Ottawa
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa a is not-for-profit community agency that supports and advocates for women and gender-diverse people impacted by the justice system. Our work is aimed at reducing harm and oppression, supporting people to overcome barriers to reintegration, and empowering them to build a life of stability and resiliency. We are a feminist organization committed to working from a human rights and anti-oppression perspective, recognizing systemic barriers that lead to marginalization. E Fry Ottawa is a unionized workplace. E Fry Ottawa is committed to employment equity, actively seeks diversity in the workplace, and welcomes and encourages applications from members of equity seeking groups including women, transgender, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ individuals, First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, persons with disabilities and members of racialized and marginalized groups.
About the Role
The Housing Based Case Manager (HBCM) provides comprehensive housing-based case management services to support moderate to high acuity women and gender-diverse people in Ottawa who have been justice-impacted to find appropriate housing, learn relevant life skills, and promote an improved quality of life.
The HBCM assists clients in accessing community supports and services or acting in a role of advocacy when it is appropriate to do so to enhance their housing stability and support long-term housing retention. This position involves travel (by car) in the City of Ottawa. Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is required.
Core Responsibilities
- Conduct JD-VI-SPDAT and SPDAT assessments to triage clients and determine the need for intensive housing supports, and administer SPDATs regularly to monitor acuity, track progress, adjust case plans, and evaluate housing stability.
- Assist clients by arranging viewings, speaking to property owners, choosing housing, and assisting with move-in arrangements, including the procurement of furniture and/or small household items.
- Perform in-reach services within correctional institutions, drug and alcohol treatment programs, and through telephone and written referrals from federal/provincial institutions.
- Collaborate with the Elizabeth Fry Society Community Liaison Worker at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC), Residential staff (JF Norwood House Transitional Residence and Lotus Bail Residence) and the Community Justice Worker at the Ottawa Courthouse to identify and prioritize clients that require housing support.
- Consult with the City’s Housing First Data Coordinator to identify and prioritize clients that meet Housing First eligibility criteria.
- Administer agency intake and assessment tools as required to support clients.
- Maintain and record accurate, complete, up to date client files and case notes according to established procedures. This includes entering the necessary information into HIFIS and ShareVision.
- Facilitate clients’ access to community resources to strengthen their tenancy, promote healthy living, and offer long-term support as needed.
- Refer and link clients to external community resources that could further support housing retention.
- Support clients in preparing a monthly budget, a weekly calendar, a personal guest policy, a risk minimization plan, and a crisis plan.
- Assist clients in problem-solving and crisis intervention around housing conflicts and legal issues.
- Provide shared after hours on-call support to clients dealing with urgent housing related issues.
- Provide information on tenant rights and responsibilities as needed and if necessary, support client through an eviction process with tenant/property owner negotiations.
- Support clients who need to be re-housed to select, rent, and move into new housing, with the assistance of the Housing Specialist.
- Stay informed and updated on community resources for housing and housing-related intervention supports (legal clinics, tribunals, emergency housing).
- Apply for or negotiate access to social housing, non-profit housing, and provincial rent supplements as needed.
- Conduct regular home visits to support clients with maintaining housing stability, including assessing unit conditions, providing life skills coaching, assisting with tenancy-related tasks, and connecting clients to appropriate community services and supports.
Other responsibilities
- Collaborate with the John Howard Society of Ottawa and other community agencies using a housing-first model to share information, problem-solve, identify emergency issues, and coordinate services.
- Additional duties assigned by the Manager, Community Programs and Services.
- Promote and deliver on the mission, vision, and values of our organization.
Qualifications
Required education and experience
- Experience and/or education equivalent to a post-secondary degree in social work, criminal justice, or a related field.
- Minimum 2 years' experience engaging and collaborating with vulnerable populations, specifically women and gender-diverse people who are involved in the justice system and who live with moderate to high-level challenges that are considered barriers to stable housing.
- An understanding of mental health and addiction issues, including knowledge of harm reduction strategies.
- Experience recognizing and responding to women and gender-diverse people experiencing homelessness with trauma-informed care.
- Experience using the SPDAT range of assessment tools and case management tools or willingness to be trained to use these tools.
- Experience working within a Housing First framework and its guiding principles and/or willingness to undergo training.
- Valid First Aid/CPR, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and ASIST certification considered an asset.
- Valid driver’s license required.
Required knowledge, capacity, and commitment
- Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present with multiple needs who may have challenges with communication and/or emotion regulation.
- A demonstrated understanding of factors that contribute to women’s and gender-diverse people’s involvement in the justice system.
- A demonstrated understanding of the systemic reasons for homelessness.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with and establish trust relationships.
- Strong motivational interviewing skills to support creation and maintenance of case plans.
- Strong crisis management skills.
- Basic budgeting skills to support development and ongoing maintenance of client budgets.
- Strong organizational and reporting skills to meet funder requirements.
- Ability to oversee a small budget to assist clients with basic needs.
Workplace Conditions
Note that clients may face multiple challenges, including those related to mental health, trauma (past and current), and substance use. Work location is in our main office at the Bronson Centre. This role is typically performed during the daytime on weekdays, with occasional evening availability required.
Interviews will begin the week of August 3, 2026
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “Housing Based Case Manager” as the subject.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $26.65 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Ottawa, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle?
Work Location: In person
