Housing Advocate

The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), a private, non-profit agency incorporated in 1981, is the Federally designated anti-poverty agency for Somerville.  The mission of CAAS is to reduce poverty among local families and individuals while working to counteract, and whenever possible, eliminate, the societal conditions that cause and perpetuate poverty.

The CAAS Housing Advocate Program (HAP) provides advocacy and case management to low income Somerville residents at risk of homelessness.The primary focus of HAP is to empower tenants and give them the resources to avoid homelessness and move towards sustainability. 

The Housing Advocate focuses specifically on individuals and families referred by the Somerville Office of Housing Stability who are at risk of displacement due to the loss of a housing subsidy, who are in need of re-housing, who are homeless, doubled-up, or in unsustainable housing. The Housing Advocate provides legal support for Somerville tenants facing eviction made possible by a partnership with Cambridge & Somerville Legal Services (CASLS); CASLS provides training for the Housing Advocate to support the tenant with the eviction process particularly with ensuring tenants are aware of their rights.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct client intake upon assignment of case.
• Maintain a caseload of up to 25/30 clients.
• Assist clients in identifying and pursuing housing options such as public housing and other subsidized options. The Housing Advocate will ensure the client properly completes the applications and confirms receipt of the application.  
• Advocate for priority status (homeless, disability, DV) for subsidized housing.  
• Explore options for housing other than subsidized housing within the private market with the assistance of start-up costs
• Support clients in representing themselves and communicating with landlords, property managers, etc.
• Support clients during the eviction process by ensuring they understand their rights and provide assistance during the Answer & Discovery process as well as advocate on behalf of the client during the trial process. 
• Present challenging cases to legal services and/or the team for additional support
• Attend weekly supervision with legal services for ongoing legal advocacy training as well as weekly supervision with the Director of HAP and weekly team meetings.
• Ensure accurate date reporting in CAAS database, CAP60 as well as maintain the client file per standards
• Maximize financial and supportive resources, and help clients address other barriers to stable housing such as referrals to job search programs or assistance with applying for SNAP
• Explore financial options for rental assistance as needed
• Work collaboratively with other community providers in the best interest of the client

Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree in Human Services, liberal arts, or other related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience doing Housing Search and Stabilization a plus; working in direct services and crisis intervention preferred; familiarity with a wide array of supports and opportunities available to low income families, and familiarity with trauma-based approaches preferred.
• Highly proficient ability to use technology as required, particularly Google (email, Drive, Docs/Sheets, Meet) and database software
• Comfortable addressing large and small groups as necessary
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work among a diverse team
• Ability to travel to housing developments, rental offices, agency sites, etc., scattered throughout the metropolitan area
• Ability to communicate in a second language (Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Acceptable CORI required.