Position: Gender-Based Violence Housing System Advocate
Location: Abrigo Centre – 1645 Dufferin Street, Toronto
Reports to: Co-Executive Director
Job Type: Full-time, 35 hours per week. Contract position from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 with possibility of extension.
Application Deadline: March 4, 2026
Wage: $57,633.06 annually plus competitive benefits package.
Position Summary
The Gender-Based Violence Housing System Advocate plays a critical systems-level role in improving access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing for women experiencing gender-based violence (GBV).
This position is an essential component in advancing service coordination, and system excellence across the Toronto region among MCCSS-funded Gender-Based Violence (GBV) service agencies and networks. Working in close collaboration with the Network Facilitator, the two roles will align their planning, engagement, and implementation efforts to strengthen regional coordination, shared standards of practice, and system-wide impact.
The Gender-Based Violence Housing System Advocate is responsible for strengthening, expanding and sustaining relationships between MCCSS-funded Transitional and Housing Support Program (THSP) agencies, VAW shelters, the City of Toronto Housing Secretariat, the Toronto Region Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee (VAWCC), and housing providers across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
This position is responsible for a system-level oversight and analysis of how City of Toronto affordable housing programs intersect with the needs of women and gender-diverse people experiencing gender-based violence. The role identifies structural and operational barriers to access and works from a solutions-focused, collaborative model with GBV sector partners to develop strategies, recommendations, and coordinated approaches to reduce barriers and improve equitable access to housing supports.
Key Responsibilities
Housing Program Administration & System Coordination:
• Administer and support the VAW stream of affordable housing programs for GBV shelter clients within the City of Toronto, ensuring alignment with MCCSS funding requirements and municipal housing policies
• Act as a key liaison between MCCSS-funded GBV serving agencies and City of Toronto housing partners to advocate for systemic practices that improve GBV access to housing
• Participate in and contribute to THSP, VAW shelter, and VAWCC working groups focused on housing access, systems coordination, and service integration
• Support the development, interpretation, and ongoing refinement of Terms of Reference and Partnership Agreements between MCCSS VAW agencies and the City of Toronto Housing Secretariat
• Contribute to enhancing collaborating efforts with other housing providers outside Toronto
Policy Development & Systems Improvement
Analyze systemic, operational, and policy-level challenges affecting access to housing for women experiencing GBV, including affordability, eligibility, prioritization, and procedural barriers
• Provide informed recommendations to strengthen housing policies, procedures, and partnership frameworks, using tact, discretion, and evidence-based analysis
• Contribute to broader sector initiatives and committees aimed at advancing equitable housing access and coordinated GBV responses
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:
• Develop and implement measurement frameworks to support regular reporting on program outcomes, key performance indicators (KPIs), and housing access trends
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to support evaluation, continuous improvement, and accountability to funders and partners
• Prepare reports, summaries, and briefing materials to support internal planning, partner engagement, and sector-wide learning
Capacity Building & Training:
• Assess training and capacity-building needs across MCCSS GBV services in the Toronto Region through ongoing consultation, network feedback, and review of emerging housing system changes
• Coordinate regular training sessions and workshops (virtual and in-person) for staff to strengthen understanding of housing systems, eligibility pathways, and effective practices for supporting women experiencing gender-based violence (GBV)
• Plan joint training workshops for Violence Against Women (VAW) networks, based on identified network priorities, policy changes, and service gaps, and coordinate guest speakers and subject-matter experts as required
• Distribute training materials, resource guides, and practical tools to support consistent application of housing policies and procedures across agencies
• Support cross-agency knowledge-sharing by convening learning sessions, documenting key learnings, and promoting trauma-informed, survivor-centred, and equity-based approaches
• Monitor participation, gather feedback, and contribute to reporting on training outcomes and capacity-building impacts to inform continuous improvement and funder reporting
Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with municipal, provincial, and community-based partners
• Represent the interests of the MCCSS GBV Networks in cross-sector forums, meetings, and initiatives related to housing and gender-based violence
• Contribute to the shared vision and mandate of partner networks by providing thoughtful input, feedback, and leadership
Qualifications & Experience:
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in social services or a related field
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in a social service setting; experience working within housing programs strongly preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Ontario Housing Services Act, Housing Action Plan, eviction prevention programs, and tenant support initiatives
• Strong understanding of housing programs such as COHB, RGI, SPP, Rapid Re-Housing, and other affordable housing models within Toronto and the GTA
• Proven experience building consensus and working collaboratively within multi-stakeholder networks
• Experience designing and facilitating training sessions, workshops, or planning meetings
• Deep understanding of how intersectionality, systemic inequities, and housing unaffordability disproportionately impact women experiencing GBV
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to ensure clarity, transparency and alignment among diverse partners
• Ability to bring together multiple stakeholders, organizations, and community partners to work toward shared goals
• Capacity to motivate, support, and coordinate partners and colleagues without direct supervisory power
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and balance long-term planning with day-to-day operational demands
• Stakeholder engagement and diplomatic relationship building
• Demonstrated ability to de-escalate urgent or high-stress situations using trauma-informed and solution focused approaches
• Clear commitment to social justice, equity, anti-oppression, and inclusion
How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and your resume by email to info@abrigo.ca outlining your qualifications and interest in this position with “GBV Housing Systems Advocate” in the subject line by Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
We encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diverse communities we serve. Abrigo is committed to employment equity. Abrigo is strongly committed to equity, inclusion and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, all religions, persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with our diverse community.
Abrigo thanks all who submit their resume, however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.