Navigation Specialist, Housing Justice Progra at Sakhi for South Asian Women – Long Island City, New York

Housing Justice Program Navigation Specialist

Organization Overview:

Sakhi for South Asian Survivors exists to represent the South Asian and Indo Caribbean diaspora in a survivor-led movement for gender-justice and to honor the collective and inherent power of all survivors of violence. Sakhi is committed to serving survivors through a combination of efforts including—but not limited to—direct services, advocacy and organizing, technical assistance, and community outreach.

Sakhi serves survivors from the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean diaspora who trace their backgrounds to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Africa. Members of our community come from diverse backgrounds including age range, gender, religion, ethnic origin, economic and educational background, language spoken, and immigration status. We work to represent, inform, actively engage, and mobilize the South Asian community in an intersectional, intergenerational survivor-led movement for gender justice.

At Sakhi we offer a unique work environment that is collaborative, fun, and committed to social justice. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, persons of color and bilingual/bicultural applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. At Sakhi, we have a clear vision: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. Sakhi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

This is a full-time role that requires flexibility in schedule. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

Position Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Support Sakhi’s efforts to safely house survivors through a smooth housing search, and placement process

• Have knowledge of habitability check, NYC housing policies or HUD standard housing inspections

• Maintain standard client caseloads on a monthly basis which includes initial intakes and goal setting to determine housing eligibility, voucher needs, service plans and creating appropriate workshops

• Assist with client voucher application and timely recertification process such as NYC City Fheps, FhepsB , Section 8, Stability voucher etc.

• Navigate through processes beyond housing search, e.g inspection, lease ups and move-ins into housing secured by vouchers

• Provide survivors with information on tenant rights, resources, and services available through in-house and external resources

• Maintain up-to-date records of all survivor related activities, including documenting individual and program progress through data collection in Salesforce, AWARDS and other internal platforms, including program related reporting

• Participate in program wide or org wide in person or remote events as needed

Partnerships & Capacity Building Responsibilities

• Identify, maintain and expand connections with landlords, realtors and management companies across NYC to expand the pool of units easily accessible to survivors in the neighborhoods they prefer.

• Advocate for and refer clients to partner organizations who specialize in tenant rights and housing law

Qualifications/Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience

• Minimum of 2-5 years of case management experience specifically pertaining to housing advocacy and navigation

• Fluency in at least one South Asian language required

• A background in gender justice is preferred

• U.S. Work authorization required

• Experience working with multiple staff, volunteers, and program responsibilities

• Ability to work well under pressure and juggle multiple time-sensitive tasks

• Ability to work through flexible hours and meet deadlines

• Strong interpersonal, writing, and organization skills preferred

• Experience in a range of housing search and placement processes preferred

• Experience or knowledge of NYC real estate, Transitional and Affordable Housing Programs preferred

This is a full-time role (35 hours a week) that requires flexibility with the schedule. Sakhi’s office hours are Monday - Friday, 10 am-6 pm, and staff members have the flexibility to organize their 35 hours over a four-day work week. Some evenings and weekends will be required. Salary is $70k commensurate with experience. Sakhi offers health and dental benefits, unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, and all full-time team members have access to a mental health clinician.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Ideal candidates will be available to start as soon as possible. Please complete the application via Sakhi’s Career Center, available on our website.