ERASE Racism, Inc., a regional civil rights non-profit with an office on Long Island, NY, seeks a Senior Housing Policy Associate (SHPA) who will build and lead a coalition of diverse stakeholders to advance policies which promote and broaden access to the range of affordable housing, and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity.

The Associate will contribute to or lead policy research on federal, state, and local legislation or regulations to guide the development of new policy ideas and program recommendations that improve access to affordable and inclusive housing for a range of income levels.

The candidate will be supervised by the President of ERASE Racism and coordinate with additional staff, partners, and stakeholders. This position entails a variety of tasks, including but not limited to leading and helping to organize coalition meetings, briefings, and other major policy events with external partners to understand priorities; organize and facilitate community convenings; and develop communication and advocacy strategies.

The Associate will assist with the development of an online and interactive database that will capture information on local and statewide legislative efforts for advancing affordable housing projects.

The candidate will possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, exhibit strong coordination, and follow through ability, and will build upon Long Island and New York City and State networks in multiple sectors to expand and strengthen the constituency of the coalition.

Key Responsibilities:

• Organize regular coalition meetings, increase coalition membership and supporters
• Develop a three-year strategic plan in collaboration with coalition members
• Mobilize coalition members to support advocacy efforts to increase affordable housing and       local projects
•  Work collaboratively with diverse groups across Long Island, and New York City and State to achieve identified housing goals
•  Perform research and remain informed of all recent, forthcoming, and innovative development, legislative and regulatory efforts in the affordable and fair housing sphere
• Develop an interactive dashboard to keep coalition members informed about local and statewide legislative efforts for advancing affordable housing projects
• Develop public education materials, media communications strategy, and maintain coalition website
• Maintain a clearinghouse of relevant affordable housing resources
• Develop an accountability tool to identify tasks and track the progress of the core group and coalition members
• Assist with developing a fundraising strategy to sustain the work

  General Requirements:

• Demonstrated passion for social and racial justice work.
• Lived experience of being, or working with people who have been marginalized due to race, disability, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic or housing status, is desirable
• Knowledge of affordable housing, homeownership, fair housing policies, housing development, rental assistance, income and/or homelessness programs, discriminatory housing practices and policies, and other policy issues (may include experience with local public housing authorities or nonprofit housing/homelessness organizations) is highly desired
• Knowledge may include lived experience of living in affordable housing and/or navigating homelessness assistance systems
• Ability to understand and analyze the impact of federal and state legislative and regulatory language, including the effect on low-income renters, communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, families with children, young professionals, seniors, and others
• Quantitative analysis skills, including the ability to manipulate data in Excel and interpret academic studies that rely on statistical analysis, and an exemplary commitment to the accuracy and transparency of your analytic work
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to work independently and collaboratively, stay on top of multiple projects, anticipate obstacles, and meet strict deadlines
• Commitment to achieving affordable housing and racial justice, and a desire to deepen your knowledge of how federal, state, and local policies can address institutional and structural racism and economic segregation.
• Strong communicator and facilitator
• Demonstrated strong research and writing skills
• Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media.
• Some evening and weekend work required.
•   At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Math, or Sociology.

About ERASE Racism:  ERASE Racism is a regional, civil rights nonprofit organization based on Long Island.  It works to eliminate barriers to racial equity by primarily addressing the interrelated issues of fair housing enforcement, access to affordable housing in high opportunity areas, and quality public school education for Black and Latino families. Related issues include fostering equitable community development and community health.

ERASE Racism combines research, education, and effective advocacy to inform and develop housing policy locally, statewide, and regionally. 

Compensation: ERASE Racism offers a competitive salary  of $60,000-$70,000 commensurate with a candidate’s education, experience, and skills.  Please note that this is a grant funded position and subject to renewal based on performance and availability of funds.

Location: The position will be based at ERASE Racism’s offices in Syosset, New York, which operates on a hybrid work schedule that includes at least two days per week in person at our office. Candidate will need access to a car, reimbursement for mileage and applicable travel is included.

How to Apply:  ERASE Racism is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Please review this job description and the Hiring Notice to ensure that you fully understand the requirements for this position.

Interested applicants must forward a cover letter, which persuasively supports your candidacy.  The cover letter and a resume should be emailed to [email protected].  Include the phrase “Senior Housing Policy Associate” in the subject line.  Applications will be accepted, and interviews conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  Our intention is for the successful candidate to begin work no later than October 2023; however, an earlier start is possible.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Please do not call the office.  If you have a question about the position, you may email [email protected] and include “Senior Housing Policy Associate Question” in the subject line.