advocacy/housing positions in Austin

Texas Low Income Housing Information Service (TxLIHIS) is seeking to fill the position of Director of Special Projects for August/September 2000. TxLIHIS is the state's foremost public research, education and consumer organization working for affordable housing for low-income people in Texas. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income people develop ways to address their housing and community development needs. We are based in Austin, Texas.

The job duties will depend in part on the qualifications of the applicant. Thus far the Director of Special Projects (DPS) has been involved mainly with media/documentary projects, traveling throughout the state to document poor housing conditions and model housing programs. This could change should we find a qualified applicant with skills in other areas such as public policy, journalism or social work. In addition to specialized projects the DPS will also be responsible for working with the Co-Directors to write and research grant proposals and organize events (such as public dialogs focusing on affordable housing issues) and develop and implement special advocacy projects to highlight different issues areas (public housing, tenant rights, the colonias, etcŠ)

We are looking for someone who is creative and passionate with a strong interest in affecting social change. The ideal candidate should be able to work well in diverse settings, who can feel comfortable in a board room as well as the living room of a family in the Colonias. We are looking for someone with a strong academic record, excellent communication (especially writing) skills, and be a self-motivated and independent worker. We are looking for someone who is good at problem solving, and able to conceive of and follow through with their own ideas.

This position pays $18,500 annually (though this salary is negotiable depending on the candidate's level of experience) with paid medical benefits after six months. This is an excellent position for recent college graduates and would-be VISTAs who are interested in advocacy, community development, housing policy on a state and federal level, low-income and minority populations, fundraising,, publicity or non profit management.

Qualifications:

… Individual leadership, initiative and creativity required. 
… Experience working with low-income people required.
… Strong computer skills, knowledge of the Web and Internet .
… Experience with grant writing, event organizing strongly preferred.
… Ability to speak and write Spanish preferred (not required).
… Experience in video, photography, and / or journalism preferred (not required).
… College degree and a strong academic record.

Resumes can be faxed or e-mailed - fax: 512-469-9802. e-mail: allie@texashousing.org. For more information on who we are and what we do take a look at our Web site:  www.texashousing.org.


Five Families Program Coordinator (new position)
part-time or full-time position					

Texas Low Income Housing Information Service (TxLIHIS) is seeking to fill the position of Five Families Program Coordinator for August/September 2000. TxLIHIS is the state's foremost public research, education and consumer organization working for affordable housing for low-income people in Texas. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income people develop ways to address their housing and community development needs. We are based in Austin, Tx.

Through the five families project TxLIHIS proposes to study, document and bring to the attention of the general public and elected officials the experience of five low-income Texas families seeking permanent, affordable housing. Each family participating in the project will have "worst-case" housing needs and will represent the following populations: farmworkers, the elderly, single parent families, the disabled, and the homeless. The purpose of this project is four-fold:

… Document the housing and economic conditions faced by five representative low-income families in Texas;
… Provide legislators, the media, and the general public with a realistic perspective on the living conditions of poor Texas families, and to depict the difficulties poor families experience in their quest to obtain decent housing;
… Inform and shape TxLIHIS' housing policy and advocacy efforts.
… Identify the gaps, barriers and structural weaknesses within the network of     
subsidized housing programs of Texas.

Duties: Work with Advisory Committee and Co-Directors to develop and manage the Five Families Project. Identify, screen and interview potential applicants. Conduct oral history and other data gathering relevant to socio-economic and housing status of identified families. Reseach local, statewide and national housing programs. Assist low-income families with housing application/in-take procedures and document the process. Work with media and policy makers to publicize results. Work with Co-Directors to process data, draft and publicize reports. 

Qualifications: Must have demonstrated working experience with low-income, minority populations or homeless populations in a counseling capacity. Experience with at-risk youth helpful. Knowledge of Spanish preferred, understanding of low-income housing programs, fair housing legislation and other housing related laws helpful. Audio-video, photography, skills preferred. Ability to work independently with low-income populations in diverse settings. College degree in social work, psychology/counseling or commensurate professional experience required. Must be able to handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts in a professional manner.

Resumes can be faxed or e-mailed - fax: 512-469-9802. e-mail: allie@texashousing.org. For more information on who we are and what we do take a look at our Web site:    www.texashousing.org.