Met Council on Housing is hiring an experienced Tenant Organizer to build a base of low-income rent stabilized tenants in Upper Manhattan. We take collective action in buildings and communities to shift power from landlords to renters. Housing is for the people of this city, and not for the profits of landlords!
For 60 years, Met Council has been educating, empowering and organizing renters in a city and state dominated by the real estate industry. In 2019 we won a historic victory by strengthening New York State’s rent stabilization system, which will protect the affordability of a million apartments, and the lives of over two million New Yorkers. Yet gentrification, predatory equity and rezonings still conspire to push low income families further to the periphery if we don’t band together and exercise these rights.
At Met Council our small and dynamic staff are supported by over 30 dedicated volunteers who field calls for the city’s longest running Tenant Rights Hotline. In addition, members of Met Council run campaigns to strengthen housing policy, pressure the Rent Guidelines Board for an annual Rent Freeze, and mobilize against rezonings for luxury development.
This position will be supervised by the Executive Director. The organizer will work in partnership with legal service providers and various coalitions.
The pay range for this position $50,000 – $57,000.
Met Council on Housing is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please send a résumé and cover letter to [email protected] with “Organizer Search” in the subject line. Applications received before July 15th, 2022 will be prioritized.
The post Tenant Organizer appeared first on Met Council on Housing.
For 60 years, Met Council has been educating, empowering and organizing renters in a city and state dominated by the real estate industry. In 2019 we won a historic victory by strengthening New York State’s rent stabilization system, which will protect the affordability of a million apartments, and the lives of over two million New Yorkers. Yet gentrification, predatory equity and rezonings still conspire to push low income families further to the periphery if we don’t band together and exercise these rights.
At Met Council our small and dynamic staff are supported by over 30 dedicated volunteers who field calls for the city’s longest running Tenant Rights Hotline. In addition, members of Met Council run campaigns to strengthen housing policy, pressure the Rent Guidelines Board for an annual Rent Freeze, and mobilize against rezonings for luxury development.
This position will be supervised by the Executive Director. The organizer will work in partnership with legal service providers and various coalitions.
Responsibilities:
- Organize tenants at a building-wide level to address housing-related issues, including repairs, overcharges, harassment, and discrimination
- Research and identify potential organizing targets – landlords with a track record of serious neglect, over-leveraging their properties, etc.
- Conduct outreach in buildings and identify leaders
- Support tenants in forming tenant associations and developing organizing strategies
- Bring tenants together on a neighborhood level to work on policy campaigns
- Bring tenants together across buildings owned by the same landlord to develop common strategies and tactics
- Educate community residents on tenants’ rights, gentrification and anti-displacement strategies
- Conduct outreach events in the community, including workshops and trainings on tenants rights
- Mobilize tenants for demonstrations, rallies and forums
- Facilitate at our tenant rights’ clinics and recruit volunteer facilitators
- Conduct one-on-one meetings with leaders
- Foster the development of tenant leaders through trainings and one-on-one support
- Engage tenants in advocacy and civic engagement activities with Met Council on Housing and Met Council Action
Qualifications & Experience
- Conversational Spanish preferred, French and other languages helpful.
- Must have 2+ years of organizing experience.
- Familiarity with housing issues and community organizing experience preferred.
- Ability to commit to at least 2 years with the organization.
- Demonstrated Computer literacy and proficiency, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice
- Familiarity & experience working in Harlem, West Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights or Inwood a plus.
Qualities
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Can motivate and inspire others;
- Detail oriented, systematic & organized
- Strong interest in working in low-income and culturally diverse communities.
- Able to work independently and efficiently on multiple tasks as well as work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
- Resourcefulness and talent for problem-solving
- Persistence and determination
- Graphic art, design skills, and web design experience a plus (ex: making flyers)
Physical Requirements & Work Environment:
- Organizers are expected to visit tenants in their homes, conduct outreach in buildings, and attend events outside the office.
- Work will be conducted remotely, as well as in apartment buildings, and occasionally outdoors.
- Willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends
The pay range for this position $50,000 – $57,000.
Met Council on Housing is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
To Apply
Please send a résumé and cover letter to [email protected] with “Organizer Search” in the subject line. Applications received before July 15th, 2022 will be prioritized.
The post Tenant Organizer appeared first on Met Council on Housing.