What are the responsibilities and job description for the Part Time Housing Advocate position at Alternative House?
Based in Lowell, MA, Alternative House has been serving survivors of domestic violence since 1978. The mission of Alternative House is to facilitate the creation of a society in which violence and oppression will no longer exist. As a means to this end, we offer access to shelter, support, children’s programming, legal, housing, and community advocacy for all victims of domestic violence (and their children) who seek our help.
We are committed to empowering all survivors to self-sufficiency. We do not discriminate against any race, class, culture, age group or sexual orientation. In addition, we provide community education and support to reform societal attitudes that permit violence and oppression against anyone.
POSITION TITLE: Part Time Housing Advocate
REPORTS TO: Community Services Coordinator
SALARY & BENEFITS: $18.00-20.00 per hour
HOURS: 20 hours per week
Position Summary: Part Time Housing Advocate will work with Alternative House’s Community Based Program Participants to provide housing assistance and education.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Housing Stability:
- Provide coordinated entry and intake assessments for domestic violence survivors seeking housing support, identifying housing service needs, and coordinating initial services.
· Monitor disbursement of ESG Housing Funds
- Support domestic violence survivors in finding and securing safe, affordable housing.
- Help families access resources for housing related assistance (i.e., furniture procurement, utility assistance, etc.)
- Advocate with managers and owners for tenancy and negotiate move-in costs.
- Provide mobile advocacy and community engagement as needed.
- Coordinate connections with other services as needed.
- Provide all advocates agency-wide with housing support, information, and training.
- Participate in all-staff training sessions; attend agency/staff meetings
Community Advocacy:
- Provide crisis intervention, telephone advocacy and referrals.
- Assess survivors’ situations, ongoing development of safety plans through advocacy session process and hot line services.
- Complete required domestic and sexual violence training required
- Participate in secure & confidential system data collection, complete necessary paperwork, and forms on time.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Build partnerships/relationships in the community.
Other:
· Support emergency shelter with coverage as needed
· Provide hotline coverage 1 day per week
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements:
· A minimum of 1 year of experience working directly with families/individuals, as well as survivors, in crisis providing case management, goal planning, advocacy, or similar service
- Experience working with people who are/have experienced homelessness
- Experience with housing search and placement activities
- Bilingual preferred.
- Sensitivity to the needs of agency clients and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Basic computer skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of team to deliver services.
- Updated CPR, First Aid Certification required.
Job Type: Part-time
Expected hours: 20 per week
Schedule:
- Day shift
Work Location: In person
Salary : $18 - $20