Employment Type: Full-Time, Contract
Position Status: Vacant
Work Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: $57,888 annually (Level 6), plus comprehensive benefits
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Contract Start Date: November 23, 2026
Contract End Date: January 7, 2028
Internal Application Deadline: Friday, November 6, 2026
External Application Deadline: Monday, November 9, 2026
JOIN OUR TEAMJoin YWCA Toronto, where intersectional feminism, community voices, and social justice drive lasting change. We welcome women and gender diverse people of all identities into a workplace rooted in equity, collaboration, and inclusion.
The Shelter Support Worker - Housing Counsellor is responsible for providing a full range of services to women living in the shelter which includes, but is not limited to: supportive counseling and referral; crisis counseling; conflict resolution and community building; and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops in the area of housing. They work within a collaborative team within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. As a specialist in the area of housing, they acts as a resource to staff and clients.
ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – Women’s Shelter
Women’s Shelter is a 33-bed emergency shelter supporting women and gender-diverse people, with or without dependents, who are fleeing violence. The program includes a Transitional Housing and Support Program that offers up to two years of post-shelter support to promote safety, stability, and long-term housing outcomes.
Our shelters operate 24/7 and are grounded in feminist principles, trauma-informed and strengths-based care, harm reduction, anti-oppressive practice, transparency, and a spirit of inclusion. In addition to shelter accommodation, all programs provide nutritious and culturally diverse food, access to health care, crisis intervention, supportive counselling, individualized service planning, clinical and recreational programming, as well as opportunities to engage in advocacy.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies;
- Provides case management support services to residents in accordance with set goals
- Accompanies women to appointments and acts as an advocate when necessary
- Acts as primary worker for women assigned, with responsibility for planning, goal setting and follow up during the women’s stay
- Provides crisis intervention and Counselling for women in shelter
- Applies knowledge, stays current and demonstrates skill in the area of housing support services and acts as a resource to staff and clients
- Acts as a resource to staff on housing options, resources and issues and provides updates on changes in legislation and public (e.g. Tenant Protection Act, Priority Housing guidelines, Social Assistance/ODSP) and maintains record in these areas
- May be required to assist the Transitional & Housing Support Worker in providing crisis support to ex-residents regarding housing issues; assists ex-residents to maintain housing by advocating with landlords and housing providers and by offering other emergency assistance
- Develops, implements and evaluates workshops that address client housing needs and to assist them to move into the community and reach their goals
- Completes intake forms and maintains daily records on resident activity, organizes files; keeps a communication log; documents appointments and activities for the residents and staff
- Adhere to policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto and City of Toronto Shelter standards
- Shares on-call duties
QUALIFICATIONS - In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW) (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
- An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework;
- Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use/addictions, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues and homelessness;
- Completion of workshops and training pertaining to housing counseling;
- 1 to 3 years’ experience in client centered counseling to at risk and/or homeless women with a focus on housing, support and motivational techniques;
- Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice;
- Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports focused on housing, employment, education, Immigration and Refugee, Family and Criminal Legal systems;
- In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma within an anti-oppression framework;
- Life Skills and certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset;
- Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of housing workshops;
- Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.;
- Proficiency in Microsoft word, email and internet;
- Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset;
Note: - Required to work on a rotation schedule that includes, day, evenings and weekend shifts
What we offer:
- Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
- Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
- Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
- Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
- Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development
Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit.
Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate (i.e., a member of the bargaining unit). For internal applicants this position is secondable.
Posting Date: October 28, 2026
YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing.
We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.
Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health
Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate before hiring.
YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender-diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.
YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
YWCA Toronto may use AI-supported tools to assist with parts of the recruitment process; all hiring decisions are made by people and guided by our commitment to equity and fairness.
YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.
