Public Housing Advocate

Are you passionate about HOUSING JUSTICE?

Do you want to make sure HUD TENANTS in SF have safe and dignified housing?

Do you want to join a diverse, multilingual tenant organization fighting for TENANT POWER?

Job Description: Public Housing Advocate

The Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco (HRCSF) is a tenants’ rights non-profit serving tenants citywide since 1979, offering free counseling and organizing support for San Francisco tenants in all types of housing, including rent-control, public housing and Section 8. Our purpose is to strengthen tenants’ rights, improve living conditions for renters, and preserve and expand affordable housing opportunities. Through our counseling program, we support more than 5,000 tenants a year, and our organizing program has helped build five tenant associations across the city since 2019.

Position Summary:

The Public Housing Advocate is a 40 hour a week position assisting tenants in HUD subsidized buildings in San Francisco resolve issues with their landlord, including repairs, rent increases and evictions. The position will operate from our main offices, as well as occasionally at our bayview clinic, and will require home visits and occasional travel to relevant agencies for meeting, hearings and case follow up. Experience working within diverse communities is essential, as is a long-term commitment to social justice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communicate on behalf of clients to their housing provider and agencies administering subsidies regarding their rights involving code enforcement issues, rent increases, evictions and subsidy termination, harassment and discrimination and more.
• Help tenants document repair needs, contact assisting agencies, connect to referrals and understand their rights.
• Represent tenants in meetings with management, hearings and grievance procedures.
• Perform house visits to support tenants with their repair cases
• In collaboration with the HUD organizing team, map out HUD buildings that need to be connected with resources and information about their rights
• Develop activities to deepen tenants education and have effective conversations with them about their rights
• Conduct trainings on subsidized housing issues to tenants, service providers, and other partner organizations.
• Conduct intakes, screen cases and maintain accurate database records and files on cases
• Coordinate with HUD counseling team members, including attending regular team meetings, and with other HRCSF departments (particularly the HUD organizing team).
• Integrate with HRCSF’s overall counseling program in order to see clients who have requested services there initially.

Qualifications:

• Passion to work towards decent and deeply affordable housing for all
• Familiarity with San Francisco building and housing codes, and code enforcement. Experience with the San Francisco Housing Authority and knowledge of HUD rules and regulations, particularly with the Section 8, RAD and Public Housing program preferred. Commitment to stop Black Displacement in San Francisco
• Willingness to conduct research, participate in trainings and leadership development, consult with legal experts and draft documents, as needed.
• Experience (paid or unpaid) working for social and economic justice.
• Knowledge of issues impacting tenants, immigrants, and people with low incomes.
• Ability to engage with diverse communities.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and communications skills.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends at times to host, support with and attend workshops

This position is a full-time, non-exempt position with a current hourly pay rate of $36.54/hour. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision, including chiropractic and acupuncture, and a generous accrual of paid vacations and sick time. This is a 40-hour position. HRCSF is a caring work environment that centers on self and collective care to ensure we are all here for the long haul!

This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by Office & Professional Employees International Union, Local 29. Specific employment terms are subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to resume@hrcsf.org with Public Housing Advocate in the subject line.

HRCSF is an equal opportunity employer: people of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQI2S, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply! Diverse viewpoints are vital to our organization's mission and culture.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.