Resident Housing Advocate at Norfolk Redevelopment And Housing Authority – Norfolk, Virginia

NRHA’s Vision and Mission

At the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), we’re proud to be the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management across the country. Since 1940, we’ve been working to revitalize and improve neighborhoods in Norfolk.

We also acknowledge that public housing has a complicated history, tied to issues of social injustice and racial inequality. While we haven’t always gotten it right, we’re committed to making positive change by offering quality housing options that support diverse, mixed-income communities. Our vision is to provide quality housing choices in neighborhoods where people want to live. Our mission is to provide quality housing opportunities that create sustainable, mixed-income communities.

Position Summary

The position, reporting directly to the Executive Director, is responsible for working collaboratively with property managers, agency staff, local partners, and landlords to support resident needs and promote positive housing outcomes. This role provides advocacy and compliance support for the housing authority, ensuring adherence to fair housing laws, reasonable accommodation requirements, and related regulatory standards.

Essential Functions

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Advocacy

• Meet with residents to address needs and concerns, and develop a plan to address those needs with the agency's executive leadership.
• Establish partnerships with landlords to locate affordable housing for residents, especially those with multiple barriers to obtaining permanent housing.
• Connect clients to support services partners within the community to provide wraparound services.
• Meet with clients to assist with addressing barriers in maintaining housing.
• Act as a liaison and mediator between client and community partners (landlords, property managers, local social service partners, etc.)

Compliance

• Ensure that housing meets HUD compliance standards.
• Complete HUD-required program training and documentation.
• Maintaining familiarity with federal, state, regional, and local housing programs, policies, and regulations; analyzing and ensuring compliance with applicable requirements.

Administration

• Maintains statistics, client case notes, and reports.
• Provide updates at property management meetings (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly), providing safety planning, crisis intervention, and advocacy.
• Attend meetings (housing department meetings, case management meetings) and scheduled in-service trainings as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Performance Standards

• Effectively assesses resident needs and develops actionable service plans in collaboration with leadership.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with landlords and community partners to expand housing opportunities.
• Demonstrates strong conflict resolution skills when mediating between residents and stakeholders.
• Maintains consistent contact with clients to monitor progress and housing stability.
• Coordinates effectively with internal teams and external partners to deliver services.
• Demonstrates trauma-informed and client-centered service delivery.
• Completes all required HUD trainings and documentation accurately and on time.
• Identifies and escalates compliance risks appropriately.
• Responds appropriately to crisis situations involving residents.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a related human services field is preferred.
• A minimum of one year of related experience with public housing.
• Two years of experience in a human services field related to the areas of assignment. Some assignments may also require specific experience working with various types of client populations.

Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Subject to a background check and reference verification prior to hire.
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to NRHA’s code of conduct and ethics policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Guidelines preferred.
• Knowledge of housing resources in Hampton Roads, Landlord/Tenant Laws, and Fair Housing Regulations in Virginia.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience providing services to persons experiencing housing challenges.
• Experience working in a team environment in service to persons with behavioral health disorders.
• Experience helping consumers develop work/employment skills.
• Experience navigating complex systems of care to provide resources and services to consumers.
• Experience providing internal and external advocacy, problem-solving, and partnership collaboration to meet the needs of consumers.
• Experience working with the local community to garner support for consumers wanting to engage in work or volunteer experience.
• Crisis Management abilities.
• Organizational and documentation skills.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities, mental health concerns.
• Comfortable with computers and familiar with spreadsheet and word processing programs.
• Core competencies expected: strong oral and written communication skills, organizational understanding, initiative, collaboration, and social justice advocacy.
• A self-starter with the ability to operate with purpose, urgency, and accuracy, both independently and as part of a team in a results-oriented environment with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrate ability to act as an advocate on behalf of residents with a working knowledge of legal, medical, and social service systems.
• Non-judgmental attitude, sensitive to confidential information.
• Ability to work well with people of various ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Must have an excellent driving record and have a valid driver's license; certificate of insurance from an insurance carrier licensed in the State of Virginia. Travel is required, and access to reliable transportation is essential.
• Requires willingness to work and travel alone.
• Empowerment.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, see, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. This position requires depth, color, and texture perception.

Drug Free Workplace: NRHA maintains a drug free workplace.

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.