Housing Advocate 2

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization•Maywood Park, OR

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Advocate 2 is responsible for providing experienced-level housing advocacy and case management for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking participating in HUD-funded housing programs. The Housing Advocate 2 supports survivors in accessing and maintaining safe and stable housing through coordinated housing search, landlord engagement, and resource navigation. This role works closely with housing partners, property managers, and service providers to expand housing opportunities for survivors and ensure successful program participation. The Housing Advocate 2 also supports program implementation efforts, assists with system navigation within Multnomah County’s housing services network, and provides informal mentorship and guidance to Housing Advocate 1 staff. All Survivor Housing staff utilize a survivor-centered, strengths-based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma-informed communication, and provide advocacy and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of training and experience
Experience: 2-3 years of experience is required
Experience in the following areas: housing advocacy, building community partnerships, and provision of supportive services, especially within diverse communities
Completion of the 40-hour Oregon Domestic Violence Certified Advocate training
Knowledge about the impacts of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and its intersections with poverty and homelessness
Knowledge of confidentiality laws, disclosures, and release of information
Ability to develop healthy boundaries with clients
Strong community awareness and sensitivity
Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and survivor-centered advocacy
Fluency and ability to fulfill all services in English; bilingual preferred but not required
Demonstrated skill and experience working with diverse communities (race, ethnicity, disability, sex, sexual orientation, education, religion, age, class, etc.)
Ability to cultivate and develop lawful fairness and respectful working relationships with colleagues and community members
An effective and compassionate communicator, both verbally and in writing, with excellent active listening skills to identify the needs and goals of our participants
Ability to be self-directed and multitask effectively; be flexible, prioritize daily workload, and operate calmly amidst stressful circumstances
Analytical, problem solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to pass an extensive background check
Oregon Domestic Violence Certification within 10 days of hire
Must be able to pass an extensive background check
Must possess a valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and have full use of automobile during work hours

Nice To Haves

English required, bilingual preferred
Familiarity with rapid rehousing or HUD is very valuable
Knowledge of Housing and Homeless services policy in Multnomah and surrounding counties is highly valuable

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Survivor sector and partner agencies to identify and support referred participants to the HUD New Beginnings program and coordinate supportive services before and after acceptance into the rapid rehousing program
Provide trauma-informed advocacy
Manage a caseload of up to16 households and develop comprehensive case management plans for permanent housing stability, health and wellness, legal services, employment and educational placements, and other appropriate services as driven by survivor priorities and goals
Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services
Navigate risk assessment with survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelters and motels, and mental health services as needed
Assist participants in gathering income verification, calculating rental assistance contribution and utility allowance; complete housing inspections and other required documentation; write letters of support when requested; and obtain clearance from law enforcement
Conduct eligibility screenings, housing barrier assessments, and service planning to support housing stability
Navigate Coordinated Access, housing authority processes, and HUD program requirements
Support participants through housing placement including housing search, landlord communication, lease preparation, and move-in coordination
Continuously contribute to Survivor Housing Team’s network of new and existing private landlords, property managers, and other housing options to ensure rapid rehousing for survivors
In partnership with Survivor Housing Coordinator 3, identify prospective safe affordable housing sites and establish relationships with landlords and property managers; build awareness about the program
Partner with survivors in barrier reduction, housing location, move in, tenant and housing rights, connection to housing legal aid, and other housing mediation and advocacy as necessary
Build partnership with educational and employment programs; assist clients with budgeting, interview practice, resources for professional work attire, job search, English language courses, vocational training, and career and educational advancements
Encourage financial empowerment, increase income and/or other financial resources, including pursuing child support, TANF, Social Security benefits, Victim Compensation, and other creative solutions to reduce overall costs for the family, through childcare arrangements, ridesharing, low-cost public transportation options, etc.
Review action plans regularly with survivor to ensure stability at end of financial assistance; achieve goal of client financial self-sufficiency or client connection with other permanent supports and resources such as Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
Possess an impeccable degree of confidentiality; knowledge of laws about confidentiality, disclosures, and release of information (or capacity to learn and strictly implement said laws)
Maintain confidential client files and records of service provision; complete data entry in Apricot and HMIS (CompSite) databases, client expense tracking, and all other administrative tasks within given timelines
Maintains accurate records of all housing placements, collects relevant data, and enters client assistance-related reports in HMIS’ comparable site (CompSite) in compliance with HUD guidelines and requirements
Support compliance with HUD and IRCO program guidelines including documentation and reporting requirements
Assist with improving program procedures and identifying service gaps within housing systems
Provide informal mentorship and guidance to Housing Advocate 1 staff and support onboarding of new team members
Participate in collaborative housing related meetings with partner agencies as needed
Participate and contribute to all staff meetings, retreats, and trainings
Effectively contribute to program standard operating procedures
Demonstrate ongoing commitment to IRCO mission and values
Availability to work occasional evening and weekend hours
Perform other duties as requested

Benefits

Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
Work that helps your community
3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year
401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting
3% match for student loans or college savings
12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance
Flexible spending account