Met Council on Housing is hiring two experienced Tenant Organizers to build a base of low-income rent stabilized tenants in Upper Manhattan. We take collective action in buildings and communities to shift power from landlords to renters. Housing is for the people of this city, and not for the profits of landlords!

For 60 years, Met Council has been educating, empowering and organizing renters in a city and state dominated by the real estate industry. In 2019 we won a historic victory by strengthening New York State’s rent stabilization system, which will protect the affordability of a million apartments, and the lives of over two million New Yorkers. Yet gentrification, predatory equity and rezonings still conspire to push low income families further to the periphery if we don’t band together and exercise these rights.

At Met Council our small and dynamic staff are supported by over 30 dedicated volunteers who field calls for the city’s longest running Tenant Rights Hotline. In addition, members of Met Council run campaigns to strengthen housing policy, pressure the Rent Guidelines Board for an annual Rent Freeze, and mobilize against rezonings for luxury development.

This position will be supervised by the Executive Director. The organizers will work in partnership with Manhattan Legal Services and various coalitions.

Responsibilities:

• Organize tenants at a building-wide level to address housing-related issues, including conflicts with landlords, repairs, overcharges, harassment and discrimination
• Research and Identify potential organizing targets – Landlords with a track record of serious neglect, over-leveraging their properties, etc.
• Conduct outreach in buildings and identify leaders
• Train and Conduct one on one meetings with leaders
• Support tenants in forming tenant associations and developing organizing strategies
• Bring tenants together on a neighborhood level to work on policy campaigns
• Bring tenants together across buildings owned by the same landlord to develop common strategies and tactics
• Educate community residents on tenants’ rights, gentrification and anti-displacement strategies
• Conduct outreach events in the community, including workshops and trainings on tenants’ rights
• Mobilize tenants for demonstrations, rallies and forums
• Facilitate at our Uptown Tenant Rights’ Clinic and recruit volunteer facilitators
• Assist in the facilitation of our annual leadership training program, the Bess Stevenson Leadership Academy

Qualifications & Experience

• Fluent in Spanish and English
• Must have 2+ years of organizing experience
• Familiarity with housing issues and community organizing experience preferred
• Ability to commit to at least 2 years with the organization.
• Demonstrated Computer literacy and proficiency, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice
• Familiarity & experience working in Harlem, West Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights or Inwood a plus.

 Qualities

• Strong verbal and written communication
• Can motivate and inspire others;
• Detail oriented, systematic & organized
• Strong interest in working in low-income and culturally diverse communities.
• Able to work independently and efficiently on multiple tasks as well as work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Resourcefulness and talent for problem-solving
• Persistence and determination
• Graphic art, design skills, and web design experience a plus (ex: making flyers)

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Organizers are expected to visit tenants in their homes, conduct outreach in buildings, and attend events outside the office.
• Work will be conducted at our main office 168 Canal St., Inwood Manhattan Legal Services Office at 5030 Broadway, buildings, and occasionally outdoors.
• Willingness to work long hours, evenings and occasional weekends

Benefits

Full health and dental coverage. Four weeks annual vacation.

Level of Language Proficiency

Fluent in Spanish

How to Apply

jobs@metcouncilonhousing.org

https://www.metcouncilonhousing.org

To apply please send resume and cover letter. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Location

168 Canal Street, Suite 600, New York, NY 10013