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UHAB Seeks Crown Heights Tenant Union Organizer/Researcher & Community Organizer (Interim Facility)

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This listing is advertising TWO positions with UHAB’s Organizing Policy & Research department.

1) Crown Heights Tenant Union Organizer (CHTU)

UHAB is seeking a Housing and Community Organizer to support the activities of the Crown Heights Tenant Union (CHTU). A grassroots coalition of tenant associations in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, CHTU is coordinated by UHAB and led by its members. (Read more below.)

2) Researcher and Community Organizer, Interim Facility

UHAB is seeking an Interim Facility Project Lead, a researcher and community organizer.

Spearheading our Interim Facility Project, this staff member will help identify strategic opportunities for affordable housing preservation and organize tenants to have a choice in the future ownership of their buildings. (Read more below.)

About 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 self-help, democratic resident control, and affordability for low-income households.

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.

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First Position: Crown Heights Tenant Union Organizer (CHTU)

The Housing and Community Organizer will work alongside tenant associations and community leaders to prevent displacement in Crown Heights. The Organizer will work to develop tenant associations in buildings facing distressed physical conditions, severe tenant harassment, and a loss of affordability as well as work closely with the leadership of the CHTU.

Responsibilities

  • Supporting the development of tenant associations in Crown Heights and surrounding neighborhoods
  • Identifying and supporting the growth of tenant leaders through training, skill-sharing, and one-on-one meetings
  • Expanding the base of CHTU through outreach and leadership development to existing tenant associations
  • Working with the leadership of CHTU to coordinate two monthly membership meetings with its members, in addition to providing logistical support to the committees and working groups within the union
  • Reaching out to and mobilizing CHTU members to participate in and support the work of City- and State-wide coalitions to strengthen affordable housing in New York City

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be computer proficient, have excellent organizing skills, be personable, flexible, and have

  • a strong commitment to housing and economic justice,
  • several years prior experience working as a community or labor organizer (preferably within New York City),
  • an ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and accessible way,
  • strong oral and written communication skills, and
  • the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and effectively handle multiple projects at the same time.

Candidates with an interest in alternative affordable housing models (i.e., affordable co-ops) and an interest in supporting UHAB’s work to build a pipeline of low-income co-ops are preferred. Hours include evenings and some weekends

Location

The Housing and Community Organizer will be based primarily in our main office in Lower Manhattan; the organizing work takes place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter with two references to organizingjobs@uhab.org. UHAB is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Second Position: Researcher and Community Organizer, Interim Facility

The Interim Facility Project Lead will help identify distressed properties where there is a chance of ownership change (e.g., buildings in private foreclosure). The Project Lead will conduct outreach to buildings to find tenants interested in organizing towards a tenant-supported purchase model. Additionally, they will help tenants build leverage to negotiate with the current owner or lender, decide what the future ownership of the building should look like, and, when appropriate, bring in preservation purchasers to meet and work with the tenants.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain a database of at-risk buildings, primarily buildings in foreclosure
  • Research opportunities for preservation, including target research for identified buildings, focusing on outstanding private debt or municipal liens
  • Conduct outreach to identify residents interested in working with the Interim Facility Project
  • Train residents in different types of ownership models and help tenants decide which type of ownership is right for their building as well as assist tenants in identifying and meeting with potential preservation partners
  • Collaborate with legal service providers and city agencies to assist tenants in securing emergency repairs and support throughout the process

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be computer proficient, have excellent research and organizing skills, be personable, flexible, and have

  • a strong commitment to housing and economic justice,
  • prior experience working as a community or labor organizer (preferably within New York City),
  • research and database management skills,
  • an ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and accessible way,
  • strong oral and written communication skills, bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred,
  • a strong sense of self-motivation, creativity, and desire to solve complicated problems, and
  • the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and effectively handle multiple projects at the same time.

We will give preference to candidates with an interest in alternative affordable housing models (i.e., affordable co-ops) and in supporting UHAB’s work to build a pipeline of low-income co-ops. The project focuses on working with residents in extremely physically distressed housing. Candidates with experience or interest in conducting building needs assessments and cost analyses, as well as overseeing repairs, are encouraged to apply. Hours include evenings and some weekends.

Location

The Interim Facility Project Lead will be based in our main office, in Lower Manhattan, but significant time will be spent in the field in buildings across New York City.

Salary

$35,976 annually, including a generous benefits package with both health and dental insurance.

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter with two references to organizingjobs@uhab.org. UHAB is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.