Job description

Position Title: Statewide Resident Organizer
Reports To: Organizing Director

HousingLOUISIANA is seeking a new team member who will help us organize to build power that will bring lasting change to housing policies in Louisiana. We are hiring an experienced organizer who can organize people impacted by our housing crisis, people who live in affordable housing, and people experiencing housing instability or homelessness, to bring their lived experience to the state Capitol to create meaningful and lasting change.

Through building the power of those directly impacted, we know we can implement policies at the state and local levels which will expand access to affordable housing, bring stability to people who rent their homes, prevent and end homelessness, and help people access safety and stability through housing. To do this work, we are building a movement centering those impacted by the housing crisis in partnership with concerned housing providers, service providers, allies, and others across Louisiana who know that opportunity begins with a safe, stable place to call home. Our work is in collaboration with Community Change, a national partner that is connecting us to a national movement of similar networks to organize for state and national policy change.

About HousingLOUISIANA:

HousingLOUISIANA is a statewide alliance of housing practitioners and advocates whose primary goal is to ensure that the housing needs of all Louisianans are met. Through our statewide network of the nine regional housing alliances and working groups in New Orleans, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Northshore, Monroe, Alexandria and Houma-Thibodaux, we work to better coordinate advocacy efforts and build better collaborations across the state.

Incubated at HousingNOLA and modeled after GNOHA – New Orleans’ comprehensive housing alliance launched in 2007, HousingLOUISIANA provides technical support to each of the member housing alliances and helps to build their capacity by connecting them to resources and trainings offered by several of HousingLOUISIANA’s national partners which include: National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC); National Coalition for Homelessness; National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC); Community Change; and several national philanthropic partners such as the Ford Foundation, among others.

HousingLOUISIANA is in the process of establishing a statewide resident organizing group, starting with residents of affordable housing. There is a lack of political will from elected officials that prevents housing justice from moving forward within our state, and we can begin to address this by engaging low and moderate income renters living in subsidized housing to build statewide power for affordable housing advocacy. Those most impacted by the issue can better inspire elected officials and help their understanding, helping us create and push a housing agenda that would result in economic growth, new jobs, and new homes for a better Louisiana for everyone. Investments in grassroots resident leadership empowers other residents and community members to address classism, racism, and other forces of marginalization in their own lives and challenges structures of power that have led to systemic inequality. The goal of HousingLOUISIANA is to help build resident community capacity while serving the needs of housing alliance members throughout the state.

Position Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

This is a full time position with local and in-state travel, and occasional regional and national travel. The ability to work evenings and weekends occasionally is required.

Build a power organization:

• Build a statewide base of residents of affordable housing communities and people with personal experience of homelessness through community organizing, advocacy, and civic participation to advance local, state, and federal policy solutions;
• Engage nonprofit housing, public housing and service providers as critical partners in outreach, event planning, and turnout;
• Build a democratic bottom-up grassroots network;
• Help develop and implement leadership development opportunities and trainings with and for residents of affordable housing, Housing Louisiana members, housing advocates, and others;
• Support new and developing members to engage with elected officials;
• Support new and developing members to participate in agenda setting process, policy development, and strategy to pass legislation;
• Support the creation of a resident-led workgroup to participate in the Housing Louisiana priority setting; and
• Help develop and implement Housing Louisiana events; conduct and coordinate outreach to ensure strong participation in Housing Louisiana events;

Other duties:

a) Help in managing member communications, including email newsletter, website, and social media;

b) Participate in staff meetings, training, and retreats;

c) Participate in organizational efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and

d) Other duties as assigned.

Preferred qualifications and skills:

● Three plus years of experience in community organizing;

● Some familiarity with affordable housing advocacy and policy;

● Experience in creating and facilitating democratic decision-making processes

● A commitment to racial, gender and social justice;

● Experience working with and in diverse low-income communities and communities of color;

● Experience working with communities or individuals who experience (currently or previously) housing instability;

● Strong commitment to and understanding of equity and inclusion work;

● Experience with leadership development programs, facilitating meetings and trainings, developing educational materials, and organizing community events;

● Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills;

● Demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or written piece;

● Strong computer skills, including word processing, internet, social media, and communications;

● Self-motivated, with the ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative and professional environment;

● Valid driver’s license required for statewide travel;

● Proficiency in another language is a plus; and

● Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Supervisory Responsibility

Job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Category:

This is a permanent, full time position (40 hours/week). Candidates should have a willingness to work evenings and weekends, and some in-state travel is required.

Compensation:

$45,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on experience. HousingLOUISIANA will provide health and other benefits including paid leave, mileage reimbursements and a mobile phone stipend.

To Apply

To apply for this position, submit a cover letter and resume.

The cover letter should be concise and compelling and outline the specific ways in which you are the right person for this position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
All staff are required to wear a mask when in the office.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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