Housing Justice Program Advocate

Organization Overview:

Sakhi for South Asian Survivors exists to represent the South Asian and Indo Caribbean diaspora in a survivor-led movement for gender-justice and to honor the collective and inherent power of all survivors of violence. Sakhi is committed to serving survivors through a combination of efforts including-but not limited to-direct services, advocacy and organizing, technical assistance, and community outreach.

Sakhi serves survivors from the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean diaspora who trace their backgrounds to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Africa. Members of our community come from diverse backgrounds including age range, gender, religion, ethnic origin, economic and educational background, language spoken, and immigration status. We work to represent, inform, actively engage, and mobilize the South Asian community in an intersectional, intergenerational survivor-led movement for gender justice.

At Sakhi we offer a unique work environment that is collaborative, fun, and committed to social justice. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, persons of color and bilingual/bicultural applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. At Sakhi, we have a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. Sakhi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

This is a full-time role that requires flexibility with schedule. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

Position Responsibilities

The Housing Justice Program Advocate is responsible for providing one-on-one case management to survivors of gender-based violence particularly where the need for safe and stable housing arises. In addition to case management, this role will be responsible for navigating through processes relevant to securing and maintaining a housing voucher.

Position Responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

Advocacy

• Conducting safety planning for survivors who are referred to the Housing Justice Program, assessing them for risk of homelessness
• Determining eligibility for various housing options through economic and vulnerability assessments
• Implementing Sakhi's Housing Justice Program strategy that includes assisting survivors through housing search and placement, housing stabilization and housing retention
• Addressing any housing issues that could jeopardize housing stability for clients (non-payment of rent, violation of lease terms, house repairs) and assisting in developing a contingency plan if needed by connecting with legal partners
• Communicating across Sakhi's programs team regarding survivor updates with regards to case related matters including but not limited to future interviews, submitted applications, follow-up on all housing related challenges and victories via progress notes, staff meetings and case discussions
• Developing and leading support group meetings and workshops as it relates to Housing Justice Program participants. These may include workshops on subjects pertaining to tenants rights advocacy, home ownership and budgeting
• Regular engagement with the finance team as well as survivors to ensure the correct portion of rent is paid by Sakhi's Finance Department and that landlords/management companies receive all dues in a timely manner
• Assisting survivors by helping them complete reports & applications, gather information, translate documents, etc.
• Tracking clients' progress towards independent housing readiness through ongoing collaboration with Sakhi's Economic Empowerment team for participation in English language classes, job readiness assessment and training, financial literacy workshops and assisting with finding employment where required

Navigation

• Helping achieve program targets by expediting the housing placement process. Providing survivors with information on tenant rights, landlord and broker resources and navigation services available through in-house and external resources
• Identifying and maintaining a wide array of connections with fair market landlords, realtors, rented rooms (when appropriate) and others who have leads to permanent housing
• Establishing relationships with housing authority personnel and any elected officials who may have access to permanent housing
• Helping survivors access and maintain housing vouchers through New York City's FHEPS Program, the New York City Public Housing and Section 8 Vouchers, working directly with landlords and brokers on behalf of clients to find affordable and safe apartments, advocating to city agencies to ensure there is no interruption in housing benefits, and mediating disputes between clients and landlords
• Conducting apartment reviews if needed (apartment walk through)
• Coordinating furniture delivery, move in/move when required

Data Keeping

• Keeping up-to-date records of all survivor-related work/activities through efficient data collection in Salesforce and other grant reporting platforms
• Documenting individual and program progress, produce and submit reports based on this data for grant reporting

Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor's degree and relevant work experience in anti gender-based violence advocacy.
• Fluency in one or more South Asian languages, especially Hindi, Urdu, and/or Bengali
• Ability to engage with diverse communities and audiences
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and organization skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and juggle multiple time-sensitive tasks
• U.S. Work Authorization required
• Experience in a range of housing and economic empowerment activities
• Experience or knowledge of NYC real estate, Transitional and Affordable Housing Programs
• Experience working with multiple staff, volunteers, and program responsibilities

This is a full-time role that requires some flexibility with schedule. The position reports to the Housing Justice Program Manager and will have a starting salary of $70,000. Sakhi offers health and dental benefits, paid parental leave and all full-time team members have access to clinical supervision.

At Sakhi, we have a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, stay and do their best work. Sakhi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Bilingual/bicultural applicants, persons of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Information

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Ideal candidates will be available to start as soon as possible. Please complete the application via Sakhi's Career Center, available on our website. You must submit a resume and cover letter with your application to be considered. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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