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Housing Coordinator

Title:

Housing Coordinator (The LCLC/The Bail Project Partnership)

Status:

Full-time Exempt

Reports to:

Program Director

Location:

LCLC (1530 S. Hamlin Ave., Chicago)

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Hire Date:

LCLC will close the posting as soon as we find an exceptional candidate

Who We Are 

Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) specializes in providing a unique form of holistic community-based criminal defense representation grounded in restorative justice principles to minors and emerging adults (24 and under) from North Lawndale, Austin, East Garfield Park, and Little Village. LCLC started in North Lawndale where it is still headquartered today. In summer 2021, LCLC expanded its service area by co-locating holistic legal services with BUILD in Austin, Breakthrough in East Garfield Park, and New Life Centers in Little Village. At all four sites, LCLC’s highly relational, innovative community-led model of justice is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers, circle-keepers, and community partners that provide developmentally appropriate supports for minors and emerging adults. The team identifies and meets the legal and social needs of our youth at every phase of the criminal justice system: from diversion, arrest, through trial, and the completion of any period of probation, supervision, and parole. By serving justice-involved minors and emerging adults holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system and establishing new best practices in community-based holistic interventions grounded in restorative justice that are more effective, cost less, and result in greater public safety for all. We believe our holistic, community-led restorative justice model will transform the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration when we scale our model across Cook County and the nation. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

Our North Lawndale Community

North Lawndale is a vibrant and resilient community and we are proud to be a part of it. Our office is located just next door to the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Apartments and Exhibit Center, built on the site where Dr. King lived for six months during his Chicago Freedom Campaign in 1966. North Lawndale is tightly-knit, and we are gratified by our affiliation with the Lawndale Community Church, an organization that has done so much to bring necessary health and legal services to the community. Unfortunately, following decades of disinvestment, “white flight”, redlining, and other harbingers of systemic poverty and violence, North Lawndale still suffers from high levels of poverty, economic hardship, violence, and over- policing. 

In North Lawndale, approximately 850 officers are assigned to the two police districts that patrol 35,000 residents. In addition, a significant percentage of specialized units (which are historically aggressive and abusive) have been ordered to rove in our community. More than 1,500 youth are arrested in North Lawndale yearly, the second highest rate in Chicago. Indiscriminate stops and searches of North Lawndale residents are a daily occurrence; 66% of adults surveyed perceived no legitimate reason for their most recent police stop. A startling 59% of adults in North Lawndale have been arrested, 30% convicted, and 27% jailed. 

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds that our youths encounter within North Lawndale, namely the violence, poverty, and police brutality, they demonstrate hope, resolve, and a drive to make their neighborhood a better place. We are continually inspired by our clients’ resilience and positivity in the face of external challenges. It is both an honor and a privilege to help them walk them away from the criminal justice system and equip them to take control of their future.

Job Description

LCLC’s Housing Coordinator is passionate about working closely with individuals who are involved in the criminal legal system. This position plays a key role in supporting the partnership with LCLC, The Bail
Project’s Cook County Community Release with Support (CRwS) pilot project, and the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund (CLIHTF). This partnership connects individuals receiving supportive services
from Lawndale Christian Legal Center to affordable permanent housing. CLIHTF offers financial assistance through its Rental Subsidy Program to Chicago residents with incomes not exceeding 30% of the area median income. The program provides quarterly lump sum payments directly to the property owner, while tenants continue to receive holistic supportive services from LCLC staff. The Housing Coordinator works collaboratively with the CHLIHTF primary point of contact to support tenants, landlords, and oversee the program’s overall growth and development.

Responsibilities

  • Explain and market the subsidized housing process and programming to landlords.
  • Advocate for the prospective tenants while considering the needs of landlords and ongoing relationships.
  • Educate support staff and prospective tenants on limitations and terms of the lease and participation with CLIHTF.
  • Develop and refine systems for organizing information, relationships, and documentation related to housing referrals and maintenance.
  • Develop and maintain an appropriately-sized inventory of units and landlord relationships based on programmatic need.
  • Identify and maintain list of additional resources to support housing-related needs (e.g., moving supplies, furniture vouchers, home goods and supplies).
  • Establish and foster relationships with organizations that provide additional housing assistance (e.g., low-cost moving services, short-term funding sources).
  • Maintain relationship with CLIHTF Program Development Coordinator through regular meetings, outcome reporting, and consistent communication.
  • Collaborate with Communications Department(s) to support informational and promotional messaging to landlords, stakeholders, and prospective tenants.
  • Facilitate and schedule apartment showings for prospective tenants and landlords.
  • Support case managers and tenants with renewal and recertification process as end of lease approaches.
  • Attend CRwS team and other organizational meetings and host regular office hours.
  • Understand and develop additional partnerships to expand housing inventory available to LCLC clients.
  • Demonstrate respect and confidentiality for all personal, legal, and organizational information.
  • Oversee housing-related clerical duties assigned to data support team.
  • Serve as a liaison between tenant and landlords needs when requested and where appropriate.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Associates Degree and/or 2+ years of housing-related and/or social service experience.
  • Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse staff, clients, and community.
  • Invested in learning the local community, building relationships with community, and demonstrates an interest in racial and social justice and/or criminal legal reform.
  • Applies effective interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills to prospective partners and maintains strong relationships with external stakeholders and LCLC team members.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of using computers and navigating software programs, with experience in Salesforce, G suite, and Microsoft Excel a plus.
  • Preferred: knowledge of city, state, and federal housing rights and policies (e.g., Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.).
  • Preferred: knowledge of housing-related legal resources
  • Residents from Austin, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Little Village, minorities, and individuals impacted by the criminal justice system encouraged to apply.
  • Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
  • Current driver’s license, insurance, and reliable access to a vehicle.

Application

Please click here to apply for the position of Housing Coordinator with LCLC. If you have any questions, please email us at email us at lclc-recruitment-team@lclc.net. The position, which is available immediately, will remain open until filled.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve. 

North Lawndale residents and minorities encouraged to apply.