Minnesota HIV Housing Systems Advocate

This position will advocate for housing system improvements for people living with HIV throughout the state of Minnesota. As a foundation for health stability, the MN HIV Housing Advocate will work to understand the barriers and advance solutions to improve access to housing for all people living with HIV in Minnesota.

The position will require a motivated person to lead and be involved in housing systems advocacy at various levels (City, County, State and potentially National). The position will be responsible for advancing access to housing by coalition building, supporting the MN HIV Housing Coalition and the Coalition’s tri-chair leadership team, along with the Coalition’s action teams, researching and presenting information, communicating to a broad network across the state, and occasionally leading training and consulting sessions.

The Housing Advocate will work closely with Leadership, Program and Communication staff internally, and external community stakeholders (particularly those who have HIV and have experienced housing instability) to identify system improvements and build coalitions across the state.

This is a full-time exempt position at 40 hours per week. The salary range is $60,000 - $75,000 annually. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 4% match of 403(b) retirement fund, four weeks of Paid Time Off in year one, and more. Occasional travel throughout the state is required, and the position is based on-site in Minneapolis.

HIV Housing Needs Assessment, Advocacy and Communications

• Participate in and monitor housing and homeless related policy and advocacy groups around the state to understand current housing resources, gaps and barriers impacting people living with HIV.
• Represent organizations serving people living with HIV regarding housing advocacy to ensure the needs of the population are included in state-wide policy and system change.
• Prepare and distribute written/visual communications with other organizations, coalitions, and the general public around housing advocacy news and needs.
• Develop and maintain a method to make communications/documents accessible through an online platform, including annual reports, coalition meeting minutes and schedules, HIV housing statistics, and advocacy alerts.
• Build consensus with multiple providers and people living with HIV about the top housing advocacy issues facing our community and possible ways to make improvement.
• Increase public awareness of HIV and the connection between housing and HIV prevention and treatment through communications, outreach events and advocacy.
• Gather HIV specific housing data and create and distribute an annual housing report so advocates can make data driven decisions around housing needs.
• Create and distribute communications about housing and HIV in Minnesota to National advocacy groups such as the National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition and other HIV or Housing related groups.

Support the work of the Minnesota HIV Housing Coalition

• Perform the administrative tasks needed to fully support the coalition, the tri-chairs, and the action teams.
• Work with the Coalition chairs and action teams to develop action plans and outcome goals/metrics that can help focus the work of the coalition and action teams.
• Help recruit and on-board new tri-chairs and action team leaders.
• Communicate consistently and clearly with the full Coalition membership.
• Recruit additional people with lived experience to be members of the Coalition.
• Conduct outreach to build relationships and strengthen stakeholder engagement in the coalition.

HIV Housing Education, Training, and Resources

• Develop and present trainings on housing resources to HIV providers, to expand access to non-HIV specific housing resources for people living with HIV. For example how to assist a client in obtaining Housing Supports or a Housing Choice Voucher.
• Distribute a monthly newsletter to share information on housing and HIV related resources.
• Respond to requests for information around housing and HIV resources for providers serving people living with or at risk of getting HIV.
• Solicit input from providers and respond by tailoring information and training to the highest priority needs.
• Share time-sensitive information with HIV providers throughout the state when needed.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social science/human service field or related equivalent
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working successfully in advocacy and coalition building.
• Experience with creating and distributing public facing communications.
• Ability to undergo and pass a background study as detailed in Minnesota Statute 144.057 and Chapter 245C.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to create and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of coalition building techniques that center participation from others.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and social skills, among a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to directly advocate for policies or needs with a wide range of audiences including elected officials, government staff and community members.
• Enthusiasm and initiative to improve and enhance current housing systems and processes.
• Mature judgement, initiative and ability to make independent and effective decisions and work without close supervision.
• Commitment to working effectively within a team and as a member of the Clare Housing staff.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and to engender trust.

• Access to reliable vehicle and ability to maintain good driving record and insurance levels, as directed by the agency, to fulfill job duties that require travel into the community including within Greater Minnesota.
• A commitment to equity and racial justice.
• Strongly prefer candidates with a knowledge of and a passion to work in the field of housing for people experiencing homelessness, mental and chemical health services, and/or service to people with HIV/AIDS.

This position is located in a supportive housing building for adults living with HIV/AIDS and other disabilities. Many of the residents are formerly homeless individuals. The building is accessible and smoke free. This position works during normal business hours which may include evening and weekend hours.

The work of this position requires regular travel to multiple program locations locally, and on occasion, to travel within the state and nationally. The person in this position must be able to make public presentations.

All employees are expected to work effectively in a mission-driven organization whose residents and staff exhibit significant diversity with respect to age, race/color, disability, marital status, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or veteran’s status.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.