The Organization
UHAB empowers low- to moderate-income residents to take control of their housing and enhance communities by creating strong tenant associations and lasting affordable co-ops. Since 1973, UHAB has been helping New Yorkers with limited means become part of their own housing solutions. Our work is guided by core principles of self-help, democratic resident control, cost-effective sustainability, continual learning, and access to affordable housing.
UHAB’s organizing, policy, and research department works with tenants who are at risk of displacement due to predatory behavior from landlords, gentrification, or poor living conditions. UHAB works with tenant leaders to develop resident associations and engage members in fighting for their own housing solutions. Tenant associations that UHAB works with fight to educate and enforce existing tenants’ rights, and to strengthen them through participating in City- and State-wide campaigns.
The Position
UHAB is seeking a Housing and Community Organizer to focus on the East Harlem and Inwood neighborhoods. The Organizer will work alongside tenant associations and community leaders to build tenant power and connect East Harlem and Inwood tenants to larger policy issues and campaigns such as strengthening the New York State Rent Laws. The Organizer will work to build tenant associations in buildings facing distressed building conditions, severe tenant harassment, and loss of affordability.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of tenant associations in the East Harlem and Inwood neighborhoods.
- Collaborate with Manhattan Legal Services to initiate individual and group housing court actions, rent reductions, MCI appeals, or other legal strategies.
- Identify and support the growth of tenant leaders through training, skill-sharing, and one-on-one meetings.
- Grow the tenant base in both neighborhoods through outreach and leadership development to existing tenant associations.
- Work with tenant leaders to establish and sustain a coalition of rent-stabilized tenants in Inwood.
- Outreach to and mobilization of tenant associations in both neighborhoods to participate in, and support the work of, city and statewide coalitions to strengthen affordable housing in New York City.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be/have
- bilingual (English/Spanish),
- personable and flexible,
- computer proficient,
- excellent organizing skills,
- a strong commitment to housing and economic justice,
- at least two years of experience working as a community or labor organizer (particularly in NYC is preferred);
- an ability to communicate complex ideas in an understandable and accessible way;
- strong oral and written communication skills;
- ability to work in a fast paced environment and handle multiple projects at the same time.
- Work on nights and some weekends is required for this position.
Location
The position is based primarily out of our office in Lower Manhattan, but will include hours in UHAB’s East Harlem office, and significant time in the field organizing in East Harlem and Inwood.
How to Apply
To apply, send a resume and cover letter with two references to organizingjobs@uhab.org.
UHAB works with a diverse community of tenants, community members and co-op shareholders and believes that the UHAB Staff should reflect this diversity. Women, people of color, LBGTQ people, and people from low-income and working class backgrounds are encouraged to apply. UHAB is an equal opportunity employer.
Professional Level: None specified
Minimum Education Required: No requirement
How To Apply
To apply, send a resume and cover letter with two references to
