Manager of Housing and Homelessness

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department: Human Services
Reports to: Director of Human Services
Effective Date: July 2025
Positions Supervised: 10
Revised Date: N/A

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for the delivery and oversight of housing and homelessness services and programs, including community housing, supportive and transitional housing programs, homelessness prevention and response, housing stability and affordable housing development.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversees and manages all aspects of housing and homelessness services, including:
-  Community housing, supportive and transitional housing.
   Development of affordable, supportive and transitional housing, as well as emergency shelters.
   Homelessness prevention and response.
   Housing stability.
Actively participates as a member of the Extended Management Team, working to establish and implement a department strategy and vision that is supportive and complementary to the County’s Strategic Plan, Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan, internal policies, and applicable legislation, to meet service excellence standards and uphold Oxford’s vision, mission and values.
Provides leadership in developing, reviewing and promoting an integrated philosophy.
Direct and second-removed supervisory responsibilities including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee and/or labour relations, mentoring and professional development of non-union and unionized staff.
Prepares, manages and implements department business plans and budgets, as well as provincial budget and funding proposals, while regularly monitoring department performance, outcomes and financial performance.
Negotiate and administer new service agreements, policies/procedures and funding for all programs and services in relation to Housing Providers. Develop action plans and establish goals/objectives for Projects in Difficulty in accordance with provincial legislation and County policy.
Works with other departments in relation to building maintenance, contractual infractions, agreement compliance, and capital asset management of the County’s Housing portfolio.
Responsible for leading and the ongoing monitoring of the County’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan and associated Master Housing Strategy and Homelessness Response Strategy.
Responsible for creation, development, management and implementation of housing solutions across the housing continuum including affordable, transitional and supportive housing projects and programs, that support increasing the level of affordable housing across the County.
Leads program planning and project management activities and supervises the development and implementation of capacity building initiatives that support homelessness prevention, diversion, and housing stability promotion.
Lead the local Coordinated Access System and oversight management of the By Name List.
Develops and maintain close working relationships and regularly consult with community stakeholders, housing providers, service providers, people with lived experience, staff and/or residents in the development.
Ensure all relevant federal, provincial and municipal legislative and contractual requirements are maintained at all times. Monitor the work of all direct reports to ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, and relevant legislation, as well as to ensure effective, efficient, and high-quality customer service.
Maintain ongoing proficiency of all and any legislation and service programmes, key performance indicators, targets, budgets, and reports submissions.
Oversees the preparation of division policies and procedures, Council reports, external reports, contracts and any other related correspondence. Attends and participates at County or Area Municipal Council meetings as necessary.
Receives and resolves escalated service-related complaints, concerns and questions in a timely and responsive manner. Refers and escalates to the appropriate individual as necessary. Acts as a resource to supervisors on complex human resource related questions and concerns and safety issues.
Ensures compliance with the terms of the Collective Agreement and provides input into labour negotiations.
Assists in planning and service delivery for affected residents in community emergencies for the provision of basic needs.
Acts as a back-up for the Director of Human Services in their absence.
Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Post-secondary education in Social Services / Human Services, business or public administration or other related program
Demonstrated experience in a Social Services/Human Services field, preferably with four (4) to six (6) years of related management experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Direct project management skills relative to housing development, including experience in planning, real estate, development of legal agreements, and/or construction processes.
Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation, statutes and regulations related to municipal and assigned program specific operations including occupational health and safety including general knowledge for alternate program areas.
Demonstrated ability to identify and collaborate with internal and external partners to deliver programs, services and outcomes.
Proven organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to deal effectively with sensitive and confidential information.
Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork, lead and empower teams and guide effective project management outcomes.
Valid Ontario driver’s license.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

Ability to demonstrate the required core and leadership competencies for this position in alignment with Oxford County’s competency framework.
Core competencies include teamwork, communication, innovation, service excellence, accountability and integrity, and inclusivity.
Leadership competencies include strategic thinking, leading people, achieving results, project/process management, and fostering change.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in an office environment.
This position works weekday hours, with occasional evening hours for meetings
Occasional driving to other worksites.