Jessica Ferguson
Toronto
Summary
Team leader with long-term experience in affordable housing program delivery. Motivated by team accomplishments and meeting service delivery requirements. Fosters an inclusive and collaborative work environment through coaching, motivating and encouraging team members. Demonstrates strong organizational and writing skills and able to efficiently produce and adapt to meet changing demands.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisor (Acting), Housing Supply
Region of Peel
05.2024 - Current
- Leads the Housing Supply, Facilities and Assets team, responsible for Region of Peel affordable housing buildings and shelters.
- Oversees unit work plans, including delegating work, managing priorities, monitoring staff performance and providing performance appraisals.
- Demonstrates leadership and supports employee development through motivating, coaching and providing constructive feedback.
- Works with internal and external stakeholders to deliver programming and ensure service delivery requirements are met.
- Collaboration with all divisions across Human Services and corporately to represent Housing Supply; provide input related to housing supply, stock and initiatives as subject matter expert.
- Develops and fosters relationships with service delivery vendors, community agencies and housing providers to ensure vulnerable populations in Peel are supported.
- Collaborates with the Housing Supply leadership team to increase affordable housing stock, shelter and transitional housing beds and overall access to affordable housing options for community members.
- Responds to inquiries and resolves complaints from community members, affordable housing residents or shelter clients, escalated from local councillors or external stakeholders.
- Works closely with internal partners to ensure service delivery contracts meet Regional requirements.
- Oversees financial analysis and budget forecasting to ensure efficient program delivery and building operations, as well as inform program efficiencies and delivery decisions.
- Writes comprehensive council reports and/or provides leadership and support to staff authoring reports.
- Contributes to overall service delivery requirements, ensuring alignment with the Peel Housing and Homelessness Plan, Housing Master Plan, as well as the Region of Peel's Corporate Strategic Plan.
Housing Supply Specialist
Region of Peel
09.2020 - 05.2024
- Oversight of Region of Peel shelters and overflow hotels in Peel from a facilities perspective.
- Contract management for vendors including drafting contracts, vendor management/collaboration, contract extensions and terminations.
- Oversee and monitor team Coordinator’s contract management duties including approval of contract extensions and approving Purchase Order increases.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with hotel vendors in Peel to house overflow clients from Peel shelters.
- Close collaboration with Client Services staff, as well as external service providers, to ensure the delivery of housing support programs and services.
- Data collection and analysis to develop program forecasting and inform reporting.
- Partner with Purchasing and Legal to issue various tenders for vendors and services required, evaluate vendor submissions, and approve contract awards.
- Work with Finance to develop program forecasting and to monitor and audit program budgets and spending.
- Work with Real Estate, Real Property Asset Management and the Housing Development Office to develop new lease agreements/monitor existing agreements and to provide input and work collaboratively on new Regional housing development projects and renovations to existing sites.
- Collaborate with internal partners to evaluate current program needs related to homelessness in order to enhance current accommodations and services for clients.
Program Design & Development Specialist
Region of Peel
11.2009 - 09.2020
- Design and develop programs and initiatives related to affordable housing.
- Assist with management and allocation of funding issued from various government sources.
- Work with Purchasing staff and other internal stakeholders to prepare tenders for new affordable development, regeneration and operations/property management of new and existing affordable and social housing sites in Peel.
- Make recommendations related to selection of proponents through participation in the evaluation of RFP submissions.
- Create pro formas in order to assess viability of new/existing housing development.
- Work with selected proponents related to affordable housing development to ensure the project milestones are met.
- Coordinate rent-up of both market and subsidized units.
- Development and administration of second units pilot program in partnership with the City of Mississauga and City of Brampton.
- Creation of Choice Based Renting Program Guidelines.
- Design and administer Peel’s Affordable Housing Capacity Building Grant Program to assist housing providers, community and faith groups with concept development and visioning for the development/regeneration of affordable housing sites.
- Prepare detailed council reports to make recommendations and provide updates to Regional Council.
Housing Initiatives Coordinator
Region of Peel
03.2009 - 11.2009
Summer Student, Various Positions
Region of Peel
05.2004 - 09.2007
Education
Fundamentals of Supervision and Management II -
University of Waterloo
03.2023
Fundamentals of Supervision and Management I -
University of Waterloo
12.2022
Graduate Diploma - Education
University of The Sunshine Coast
11.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Human Geography
York University
04.2007
OSSD -
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
04.2003
Skills
- Housing & shelter facility management
- Effective communication skills
- Internal & external partnership development
- Negotiation skills
- Council reports
- Problem solving
- Leadership through coaching, support & motivation
- Fosters diversity, equity & inclusion
Timeline
Supervisor (Acting), Housing Supply
Region of Peel
05.2024 - Current
Housing Supply Specialist
Region of Peel
09.2020 - 05.2024
Program Design & Development Specialist
Region of Peel
11.2009 - 09.2020
Housing Initiatives Coordinator
Region of Peel
03.2009 - 11.2009
Summer Student, Various Positions
Region of Peel
05.2004 - 09.2007
Fundamentals of Supervision and Management I -
University of Waterloo
Fundamentals of Supervision and Management II -
University of Waterloo
Graduate Diploma - Education
University of The Sunshine Coast
Bachelor of Arts - Human Geography
York University
OSSD -
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
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