Permanent Housing Advocate

The Young Women's Christian Association of Kalamazoo, Mich•Kalamazoo, MI

About The Position

The Permanent Housing Advocate provides empowerment-based, survivor-centered housing stabilization, resource navigation, and ongoing advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking who reside at Kalamazoo Community Courtyard. The role serves as a liaison among residents, MSHDA, Pine Grove Property Management, YWCA staff, and community service providers, supporting timely recertifications, program compliance, individualized goals, and long-term housing stability. The advocate helps residents identify and address barriers to housing, access community resources and supportive services, and pursue goals related to housing stability and self-sufficiency. The position also promotes resident engagement through community meetings, educational activities, support groups, workforce-development programming, and other on-site events. It reports to the Director of Survivor Housing Initiatives for workforce-programming support. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent; a related bachelor's degree is preferred. Two years of direct-service experience with survivors is required, while four years is preferred. CHW certification is strongly preferred or may be obtained within six months of hire. Housing advocacy experience and Spanish fluency are also strongly preferred.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Two years of direct-services experience with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
Understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Ability to initiate and cooperate while working independently or as part of a team.
Ability to set priorities and fulfill responsibilities.
Ability to make sound decisions and respond capably in crisis situations.
Ability to maintain detailed records and statistics.
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Community Health Worker (CHW) certification; if not already held, it may be obtained within six months of hire.
Four years of direct-services experience with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking.
Experience in housing navigation, housing stabilization, rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, or housing advocacy.
Fluency in written and spoken Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide survivor-directed, trauma-informed services, including safety planning, supportive counseling, mobile advocacy, education, referrals, support groups, and follow-up.
Conduct regular home visits to assess housing stability, identify emerging needs, support resident goals, and address concerns that could affect tenancy.
Help residents navigate rental subsidies, recertification requirements, security-deposit assistance, and other housing resources.
Serve as a primary point of contact among residents, MSHDA, Pine Grove Property Management, YWCA staff, and community service providers.
Help residents complete and submit documentation for initial eligibility, annual and interim recertifications, and continued program compliance.
Assess housing stability, safety, and supportive-service needs; develop goals, service plans, recommendations, and referrals.
Advocate for residents and help resolve housing concerns, lease-compliance issues, landlord-tenant disputes, and other barriers to housing stability.
Educate residents about tenant rights and responsibilities, lease requirements, community expectations, property maintenance procedures, and project-based housing requirements.
Provide housing information, referrals, and coordinated connections to community resources, including healthcare, behavioral health, childcare, transportation, education, legal services, public benefits, and financial assistance.
Support the Director of Survivor Housing Initiatives in developing and implementing workforce-development programming tailored to survivors, including employment readiness, education, training, income growth, and economic empowerment.
Coordinate and facilitate resident-engagement activities, including community meetings, educational workshops, support groups, workforce-development activities, and other on-site events.
Conduct assigned housing inspections, document findings, communicate concerns to appropriate parties, and follow up until issues are addressed.
Maintain professional relationships with property-management staff, housing partners, community agencies, and residents, and assist in resolving concerns.
Participate in case consultations, multidisciplinary team meetings, coordinated-entry discussions, and other meetings that support coordinated service delivery.
Represent the YWCA at community meetings, trainings, and collaborative initiatives while advocating for survivors’ housing and supportive-service needs.
Maintain accurate, timely, confidential case notes, home-visit records, service plans, referrals, inspection documentation, recertification records, and other required documentation.
Assist the Director of Survivor Housing Initiatives with recordkeeping, file organization, data collection, grant compliance, monitoring, reporting, and quality-assurance activities.
Collect feedback from residents and housing partners to evaluate satisfaction, identify service gaps, monitor compliance, and improve program delivery.
Manage time effectively, remain flexible and organized, and prioritize responsibilities according to resident and program needs.
Report to work as scheduled and arrive prepared to perform assigned responsibilities.
Prioritize residents’ safety, dignity, housing stability, and well-being.
Safeguard confidential and personally identifying information in accordance with YWCA policies, survivor-confidentiality requirements, and applicable laws.
Comply with YWCA policies on reporting suspected child abuse or neglect and with applicable laws, regulations, standards, grant conditions, and housing-program requirements.
Promote a positive and professional image of the YWCA, Kalamazoo Community Courtyard, and survivor housing programs.
Work cooperatively and respectfully with residents, YWCA employees, volunteers, property-management staff, and community partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Complete required orientation and training, including YWCA personnel policies and mission, MCEDSV annual new service-provider training, OVW-required training, orientation to domestic violence, sexual assault, confidentiality and mandatory reporting, MiVAN trainings, and appropriate training and in-service during employment.