Permanent Housing Advocate

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

Provide empowerment-based, survivor-centered housing stabilization, resource navigation, and ongoing advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking residing at Kalamazoo Community Courtyard. The position will serve as a liaison among residents, MSHDA, Pine Grove Property Management, and community service providers to support timely recertifications, project compliance, and assisting residents with meeting their individual goals to promote long-term housing stability.

The Permanent Housing Advocate will assist residents with identifying and addressing barriers that may affect their housing, connecting with community resources, coordinating supportive services, and working toward individualized housing stability and self-sufficiency goals. This position will promote resident engagements by coordinating community meetings, educational activities, co-lead support groups, and other on-site events as needed. The Permanent Housing Advocate will also support the development and implementation of workforce development programming to help residents strengthen employment readiness, increase income, and achieve greater economic stability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.

• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification is strongly preferred; or may be obtained within six months of hire.
• Two years’ experience required; four years' experience preferred in direct services with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking. [AG1]
• Experience in housing navigation, housing stabilization, rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, or housing advocacy is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess an understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
• Ability to initiate and cooperate, working alone or within a team environment.
• Proven ability to set priorities and fulfill responsibilities.
• Ability to make sound decisions and respond capably in crisis situations.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain detailed records and statistics.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is strongly preferred.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide survivor-directed, trauma-informed services, including safety planning, supportive counseling, mobile advocacy, education, referrals, support groups, and follow-up. Home visitation support
• Conduct regular home visits with residents of Kalamazoo Community Courtyard to assess housing stability, identify emerging needs, support individualized goals, and address concerns that could affect tenancy.
• Assist residents with navigating rental subsidies, recertification requirements, security-deposit assistance, and other housing-related resources.
• Serve as a primary point of contact among residents, MSHDA, Pine Grove Property Management, YWCA staff, and community service providers.
• Support residents with completing and submitting required documentation for initial eligibility, annual and interim recertifications, and continued program compliance.
• Assess residents’ housing stability, safety, and supportive service needs and develop appropriate goals, service plans, recommendations, and referrals.
• Advocate for residents and provide support in resolving housing concerns, lease-compliance issues, landlord-tenant disputes, and other barriers that may jeopardize housing stability.
• Educate residents about tenant rights and responsibilities, lease requirements, community expectations, property maintenance procedures, and project-based housing requirements.
• Provide housing information, referrals, and coordinated connections to community resources, including healthcare, behavioral health, childcare, transportation, education, legal services, public benefits, and financial assistance programs.
• Support the Director of Survivor Housing Initiatives with developing and implementing workforce-development programming tailored to survivors, including employment readiness, education, training, income growth, and economic-empowerment activities.
• Coordinate and facilitate resident-engagement activities, including community meetings, educational workshops, support groups, workforce-development activities, and other on-site events at Kalamazoo Community Courtyard.
• Conduct housing inspections as assigned, document findings, communicate concerns to the appropriate parties, and provide follow-up until identified issues are addressed.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with property-management staff, housing partners, community agencies, and residents while assisting with the resolution of concerns as they arise.
• Participate in case consultations, multidisciplinary team meetings, coordinated-entry discussions, and other meetings necessary to promote coordinated and high-quality service delivery.
• Represent the YWCA at community meetings, trainings, and collaborative initiatives while advocating for the housing and supportive-service needs of survivors.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case notes, home-visit records, service plans, referrals, inspection documentation, recertification records, and other required program documentation.
• Assist the Director of Survivor Housing Initiatives with recordkeeping, file organization, data collection, grant compliance, monitoring, reporting, and quality-assurance activities.
• Collect feedback from residents and housing partners to evaluate program satisfaction, identify service gaps, monitor compliance, and improve program delivery.
• Demonstrate effective time management, flexibility, organization, and the ability to prioritize responsibilities within a schedule that may vary based on resident and program needs.
• Report to work as scheduled and arrive prepared to perform all responsibilities associated with the position.
• Maintain a strong work ethic and consistently prioritize the safety, dignity, housing stability, and well-being of residents.
• Safeguard all confidential and personally identifying information obtained through the position in accordance with YWCA policies, survivor confidentiality requirements, and applicable laws.
• Comply with YWCA policies regarding the required reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect.
• Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, licensing standards, certification requirements, grant conditions, and housing-program requirements.
• Promote a positive and professional image of the YWCA, Kalamazoo Community Courtyard, and survivor housing programs within the organization and broader community.
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with residents, YWCA employees, volunteers, property-management staff, and community partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

• Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.
• MCEDSV- Annual New Service Provider training
• OVW Required Training
• Orientation to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting.
• Michigan Victim Advocacy Network- MiVan trainings
• Appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

[AG1]Is this preferred or required? To align with the payband, my recommendation is to state two years experience required. 4 years preferred.