Supervisor, Housing Equity and Community Partnerships

The Role

Addresses inequities in access to affordable housing by supervising the development, administration, and delivery of housing stability programs, including rent assistance programs through the leadership of equity-based initiatives. 

Provides expertise and leads division-wide equity and inclusion projects, including reviewing housing programs and Service Manager plans, policies, and procedures to support the implementation of systemic changes grounded in anti-racist, anti-oppressive principles/approaches, in collaboration with corporate and departmental equity staff. 

Supervises community development activities including the provision of program supports, engagement, and education/training for community agencies and organizations.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises a Tenancy Liaison Specialist, Community Development and Equity Specialist, Housing Contracts & Funding Administrator, and students. Administers service agreements with community providers of housing services, community partners, and consultants. 
• Provides guidance, support, and advice to project teams on the development of housing stability programs to support an equity and inclusion lens and to reduce/eliminate barriers to services. 
• Supervises the development and administration of housing stability programs for new equity-focused initiatives for those facing the greatest barriers to housing access, including First Nations, Inuit and Metis, African, Caribbean and Black, racialized, and other under-represented communities (residents with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, experiencing homelessness, etc) and other programs (e.g., home ownership, renovation), ensuring compliance with legislation, funding agreements/requirements, and Service Manager plans, policies, and procedures. 
• Monitors and negotiates agreements/requirements with community providers of housing services, ensuring compliance. Assesses performance against quality initiatives and goals. Provides information regarding potential funding opportunities and housing related initiatives, as appropriate.
• Establishes and maintains strong, collaborative, trust-based relationships with community leaders, groups, and organizations serving First Nations, Inuit and Metis, African, Caribbean and Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and other diverse communities to continue building opportunities to engage and partner. 
• Supervises the development and implementation of strategies to meaningfully engage community organizations on issues impacting Housing access, equity, including eliminating barriers, and creating opportunities for participation in program development.  
• Leads the review, development, and implementation of anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies, practices, and standards to address systemic barriers and inequities within housing programs. 
• Facilitates/leads project teams as required. Collaborates with corporate and departmental equity staff on related initiatives/projects and to ensure alignment with corporate/departmental work, and integration into divisional programs.
• Provides guidance, support, and advice to divisional staff and community providers of housing services regarding equity and access to programs and services and community development/ engagement approaches. Promotes changes to housing protocols, policies, and practices that address systemic issues, and facilitates training/education related to same. 
• Works with divisional staff to coordinate and facilitate public consultations with stakeholder groups to further program objectives related to equity initiatives and plans. 
• Prepares/ coordinates program reports with other divisional staff. 
• Liaises with staff of Ministries and other municipalities to exchange best practices to support the delivery of housing programs and initiatives.  
• Supports call for proposal processes, as needed for housing program initiatives. 
• Liaises with Legal when updating/creating agreements for revised/new funding initiatives. 
• Supervises the distribution of program operating funding to service providers; and administers budget for same and other housing programs (e.g., home ownership, renovation). Makes recommendations to management for annual operating budget. Monitors program budgets, including in-year budget change processes. Has signing authority and a purchasing card.   
• Backs up other supervisors and Manager.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a related university degree (e.g., planning, public administration, social sciences, community development), plus progressively responsible related experience.
• Experience working in the equity, inclusion, or anti-oppression fields, supporting the development, planning, and delivery of programs focused on structural or systemic change.
• Knowledge of housing stability policy, programs, administrative policies and procedures, equity and inclusion approaches and principles, anti-oppression and anti-racism principles.
• Understanding of the social, political, cultural, spiritual, health, and economic history, challenges, and opportunities relevant to immigrants, racialized and Indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, other historically disadvantaged groups, and systemic impacts.
• Brings lived/living experience through personal understanding of the realities and concerns of priority communities and groups, such as First Nations, Inuit and Metis; African, Caribbean and Black, racialized, persons with disabilities, and/or member of the 2SLGBTQ+ or other under-represented communities.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and legislation, guidelines. Knowledge of community organizations/services. 
• Research, analytical, problem solving, organizational, and continuous improvement skills to plan and develop objectives; organize and coordinate the work of supervised staff; develop project work plans, compliance, and quality initiative strategies and standards; and work under tight timelines.
• Leadership, human relations, communication, and facilitation skills to supervise, train, develop, motivate, and support staff; explain housing and housing stability policies, programs, and initiatives to senior management, staff, associated agencies, and the public; conduct presentations and information sessions to same; maintain relationships with community groups and service providers of housing services; respond to inquiries from the public and professional audiences; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to read and interpret Council/Committee reports, legislation and guidelines, technical proposals, regional policies and by-laws, and legal agreements. Ability to write clear, concise letters and reports regarding housing and housing stability programs.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to implement and monitor compliance with the Departmental vision and philosophy for integrated customer service delivery within the division, across divisions, across departments, and within the broader community.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.