Fair Housing Client Advocate

Metro Housing | Boston

Job Description

SALARY: $64,0000 - $67,000 per year.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

***Please submit a cover letter along with your resume***

ORGANIZATION:

 Metro Housing| Boston (formerly Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership) is a leading nonprofit dedicated to connecting the residents of Greater Boston with safe, decent homes they can afford. Metro Housing empowers families and individuals to move along the continuum from homelessness to housing stability. Serving more than 25,000 households annually, we work seamlessly to bridge the gaps among government, nonprofits, and corporations to continually increase our impact. With more than 30 years’ experience piloting and implementing housing programs, we have solidified our position as an industry-leading expert on navigating the affordable housing field.

MISSION:

“We mobilize wide-ranging resources to provide innovative and personalized services that lead families and individuals to housing stability, economic security and an improved quality of life.”

REPORTS TO: Director of Civil Rights & Fair Housing

RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned. 

  • Conduct intake of client discrimination allegations, assess the situation, including fact finding for determination of probable discriminatory status as covered by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights Act of 1968 Title VI, MA CH 151B and/or local municipal civil rights ordinances;
  • In cases of probable illegal acts of discrimination, advocate on behalf of the client to conciliate the matter such as but not limited to contacting property owners/property managers in instances of alleged or actual fair housing noncompliance to resolve such issues;
  • Represent clients at administrative hearing on an as needed basis at MCAD, BFHC and CHRC;
  • In consultation with Senior Advisor, refer clients to the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston, Boston Fair Housing Commission, Cambridge Human Rights Commission, MA Commission Against Discrimination, Dept. of Housing & Urban Development or the MA Attorney-General’s Office on an as needed basis;
  • Coordinate referrals to the Suffolk University Law School Housing Discrimination Testing Program for representation of Metro Housing clients as well as request for testing;
  • Participate in all file reviews and client case conferences when there indications of or are actual incidences of civil rights issues for clients in any of the Metro Housing programs;
  • Provide technical assistance on housing civil rights, within reason, to property owners and property managers to prevent discriminatory actions;
  • Conduct the fair housing section of all briefing sessions for rental assistance programs at Metro Housing including but not limited HCV, MRVP, HomeBASE, etc.; and
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Knowledge of relevant civil rights laws, interpretation & implementations;
  • Minimum of 3 years of advocacy experience or legal training;
  • Experience working with or in government agencies;
  • Strong research and writing abilities;
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
  • Strong interpersonal skills & able to handle client crisis situations;
  • Preference for Master’s degree or JD or BA with related work experience exceeding 3 years;
  • Proficient with Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel & Access; and
  • Multi-lingual skills required verbally and written in any of the following languages: Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish & Haitian Creole.
PREFERENCE GIVEN TO

  • Candidates with multilingual skills (verbal and written). We are seeking candidates that speak and write English and at least one of the following languages (for interpreting and translation): Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Toisanese, and Spanish.
 

Most benefits are available on your first day of work with Metro Housing | Boston. These benefits currently include:

Your and your family’s health

  • Health and dental coverage on a pre-tax basis;
  • Eye Med Vision plan on a pre-tax basis;
  • Medical and dependent care reimbursement account;
  • Company paid life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability;
  • Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program;
  • Voluntary life, accident, critical illness and cancer insurance.
Work/life balance

  • Generous vacation, sick, and personal time;
  • 13 paid holidays per year;
  • Paid new parent leave;
  • Flexible schedules (when available).
Retirement plan

  • 403(b) plan with a company match.
Career growth

  • Tuition reimbursement program;
  • Internal promotions encouraged.


AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER