Legislative Director

About CLPHA

The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities is a national non-profit organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis, and public education.

CLPHA's 80 public housing agency members represent virtually every major metropolitan area in the country. Collectively they manage over 40 percent of the nation's public housing program; administer about one-quarter the Housing Choice Voucher program; and operate a wide array of other housing programs including the innovative Moving-to-Work (MTW) program as well as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). CLPHA’s current priorities include recapitalizing the public housing portfolio on a more sustainable platform, expanding the affordable housing supply, improving and expanding Housing Choice Voucher opportunities, and fostering cross-sector partnerships with the health and education sectors to improve life outcomes for low-income households.

About the Position

The Legislative Director is a senior position that is responsible for formulating and executing CLPHA’s legislative and policy agenda under the direction of the Executive Director. The position has the principal staff responsibility to communicate and represent CLPHA’s interests before the United States Congress. The position has the primary responsibility to communicate to membership on legislative matters, prepare legislative analyses, and formulate and execute grassroots legislative advocacy.

Position Responsibilities

• Communicate with Members of Congress, their staffs and other key stakeholders on CLPHA agenda and priorities.
• Maintain and build relationships with committee staff and other congressional staff of key members of Congress across both political parties.
• Serve as a resource to members of Congress on policy and legislative matters, while nurturing relationships with, and taking the opportunity to educate congressional members and their staff on CLPHA issues and priorities.
• Develop legislative priorities based upon membership interests, funding requirements, improvements needed in statute and regulations, and pursuit of new programs, demonstrations, and other legislative enactments.
• Prepare legislative updates to keep CLPHA members informed of the latest legislative activities having an impact on housing authorities.
• Coordinate, advise, join, and participate with other national organizations on collaborative activities to advance CLPHA priorities, legislative policies, and agenda.
• Review, comment, and advise on legislative proposals from CLPHA members, Members of Congress, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare analyses on congressional authorizing and appropriations legislation impacting public and federally assisted housing and related programs.
• Work with other CLPHA staff on legislative and policy priorities, issues, and other CLPHA matters as needed.
• Manage the CLPHA legislative working group in coordination with the Legislative Manager including scheduling, content development and member engagement.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher Program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and other federal housing programs.
• Understanding of Washington D.C.’s political environment and prior experience working with legislative and administrative bodies.
• Committed to bipartisanship and to working with member offices of both political parties.
• Strong written, oral, and strategic analytical skills, with experience in communicating complex policy issues and research findings to a variety of audiences
• Leadership abilities and the ability to work in a collaborative work environment
• Strong analytical and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Law degree; or Graduate degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field with at least five years’ experience in a legislative position on a congressional staff; or at least ten years’ experience in a professional field within the context of housing.

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Legislative Manager