The Urban Justice Centers Safety Net Project (SNP) provides direct legal and social services in the areas of public benefits access, homelessness, and tenant rights. SNP also engages in policy advocacy and community organizing led by impacted community members. SNP is one of NYCs Right to Counsel providers representing tenants facing eviction and is also active in various grassroots organizing campaigns fighting for systemic change.

We are seeking aHousing Benefits Advocatewho is looking for a creative and non-traditional environment, working with passionate and dedicated advocates in the fight against gentrification, displacement, and racist housing systems. SNPs Housing Benefits Advocates help stop evictions by securing emergency rent arrears assistance and housing subsidies for tenants, and by addressing benefits and subsidy issues related to the tenants eviction case.

Primary Responsibilities

• Help clients obtain emergency rental arrears assistance through government programs and private charities;
• Prepare and submit housing subsidy applications;
• Engage in zealous advocacy with City agencies to secure assistance and resolve public benefits and housing subsidy issues;
• Communicate with clients, manage referrals and appointments, and conduct intake for benefits issues.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Aptitude for tenacious, client-centered advocacy;
• Ability to quickly learn the regulations and processes of New York Citys public benefits and housing subsidy systems;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Strong anti-oppression and social justice analysis and lens, including a deep commitment to racial justice and housing justice work;
• Ability to respond sensitively to the urgent needs of clients;
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including flexibility and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment handling a docket of housing benefits advocacy cases;
• Spanish proficiency or a commitment to learn Spanish is strongly preferred.