Tenant Organizer - Bilingual

Latino Economic Development Corporation

New Position Announcement

Bilingual Tenant Organizer: Affordable Housing Preservation Program

August 2007



Position Description: The Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) of Washington, DC, a non-profit community development corporation, seeks a diligent Bilingual Tenant Organizer for its Affordable Housing Preservation Program. The Affordable Housing Preservation program works to preserve affordable housing, including federally subsidized housing, and prevent displacement of low and moderate income tenants due to loss of a rent subsidy, code violations or sale or conversion of their building. LEDC accomplishes these goals by educating tenants, organizing and providing technical assistance to tenant associations and advocating for affordable housing policies that benefit low-income tenants.



The Bilingual Tenant Organizer will report directly to the Program Director and will be responsible for the following activities:

- Identifying buildings made up of LEDC’s target population where tenants are most at risk of displacement;

- Outreaching to tenants at risk of displacement through door to door outreach, neighborhood trainings, written materials and popular education;

- Educating tenants through one-on-one counseling, group workshops and educational materials;

- Organizing tenants to form and strengthen tenant associations, to purchase their building or to negotiate with the building owner and policymakers;

- Advocating with DC government to improve or create programs benefiting low-income tenants;

- Leadership development, including recruiting and identification of tenant leadership and training tenants to lead advocacy and organizing efforts;

- Providing technical assistance to tenants who wish to establish or strengthen a tenant association, keep their building affordable, improve conditions at the building or exercise an option to purchase; and

- Other tasks as necessary.



This is a full-time, 40 hour / week position that requires night and Saturday hours.



Required Qualifications: Bilingual in English and Spanish. Strong writing, public speaking and computer skills. Highly organized, mature self-starter, who is able to work with limited supervision. Strong knowledge of and sensitivity to Latino and African American culture. Outstanding interpersonal, communication and marketing abilities, and the willingness to develop working relationships with a wide variety of people. Flexibility and willingness to work after normal business hours multiple times during the week including occasional work on Saturdays.



Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college in social work, urban planning or a related field. Strong general knowledge of Washington, DC and related housing issues. One year of volunteer and/or paid experience at a non-profit organization focusing on the economic empowerment needs of low-income individuals. Experience with community organizing, popular education or providing direct services to low and moderate-income Latinos and advocating for affordable housing issues.



Salary Range: $ 30,000 – 33,000 commensurate with experience, plus full benefits and generous vacation.



Application Instructions: To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé by any of the following means:

- E-mail: ffosse@ledcdc.org

- Fax: 202-588-5204 attn: Farah Fossé, Affordable Housing Preservation Program Director

- Mail: Farah Fosse, LEDC, 2316 18th St NW, WDC 20009

- NO TELEPHONE CALLS



Applications must be submitted by September 30th.



LEDC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer; women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.