Senior Program Associate, Housing Specialist (Re-entry)

Senior Program Associate, Housing Specialist (Re-entry) Department: The Housing Lab Employment Type: Full Time Location: LA Office Compensation: $75,927 / year Description Impact Justice advances safety, justice, and opportunity through boundary‑breaking work that honors and empowers people and is changing expectations about what we can accomplish together. We imagine, build, and scale innovations, leverage research and other knowledge to connect the desire for change with informed action, and work to shift the narrative so that decision‑makers and the public understand what’s at stake and what’s possible. About The Homecoming Project Using the sharing economy model, the Homecoming Project (THP) at Impact Justice (IJ) pairs individuals returning home from prison with welcoming community residents (hosts) who have a room in their home to spare. The Homecoming Project pays each host a monthly stipend for housing the participant for up to 6 months and provides a community navigator that connects them to the resources, supports, and wraparound services necessary for community re‑entry. This innovative reentry housing project began in the Bay Area in 2018 and, to date, has housed over 200 returning individuals into homes. The Homecoming Project is currently in Alameda County, West Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, and Los Angeles County. Check us out. Who You Are You have an orientation and belief that criminal justice involvement should not prevent someone from pursuing their housing, employment, education, and personal growth opportunities. You have experience working directly with vulnerable and marginalized populations. What You Will Do The anticipated start date for this position is May 4, 2026. You will report to the Program Manager for The Homecoming Project. As a Housing Specialist, you will lead the design and execution of individualized housing strategies for Homecoming Project participants as they prepare to transition into independent housing after completing the program, ensuring long‑term housing stability and systems‑level impact. This role focuses on building pathways to fair‑chance housing opportunities by 1) supporting participants with housing application submission and planning prior to their program exit and 2) developing a network of fair‑chance landlords and housing partners who can provide sustainable housing beyond the Homecoming Project. This role will work in close coordination with other Homecoming Project staff. Key responsibilities include: Housing Navigation – You will independently lead housing strategy and navigation for participants as they prepare for their next housing step after Homecoming. You will assess client goals and barriers, co‑develop strategic housing plans, and guide participants through all stages of placement – from documentation to lease‑up. You will guide participants through the housing search and application process, including documentation preparation, housing readiness coaching, and lease navigation. You may also support participants in preparing for landlord interactions and competitive housing environments. Case Coordination – You will manage a dedicated caseload with autonomy, coordinating directly with Community Navigators to deliver holistic reentry support. You will track key housing metrics, including time‑to‑placement, lease retention, and post‑program stability, and report insights to inform program strategy and funding deliverables. Your case documentation and evaluation will contribute to system‑level improvement across IJ’s housing programs. Landlord & Community Partner Engagement – You will identify and maintain relationships with housing providers, landlords, transitional housing programs, and government agencies. You will also create a network of fair chance landlords for participants to access. You’ll advocate with landlords and property managers on behalf of clients, helping to reduce stigma and create pathways to lease acceptance. You'll also monitor and assess local housing resources and waitlists, ensuring clients are connected to up‑to‑date opportunities. Housing Systems Advocacy & Problem‑Solving – You will serve as a subject‑matter expert on housing rights and reentry barriers, providing advanced problem‑solving and advocacy. You will connect participants to stabilizing resources, and elevate complex issues through appropriate internal channels, when necessary. You will also contribute strategic insight to internal learning and system design conversations within The Housing Lab. Education / Experience Level Successful candidates typically have at least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in housing navigation, reentry services, or systems advocacy. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of working independently, strong client advocacy, and stakeholder relationship‑building in complex social service contexts. Required Qualifications Housing navigation experience – Familiarity with local housing systems and barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. Interpersonal communication – Excellent verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, and motivational interviewing skills. Technological fluency – Proficiency in Google Workspace and case management platforms including Salesforce. Cultural humility and trauma‑informed care – Deep understanding of how race, incarceration, and poverty intersect to affect housing access. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of Fair Housing laws and housing rights advocacy. Case management skills – Experience tracking client progress, managing caseloads, and coordinating referrals. Existing relationships with property managers, housing providers, or transitional housing providers in Los Angeles (SPAs 4, 5 and 6). Experience with the criminal justice system (personal or professional), working with people impacted by incarceration or other systemic barriers including in: social work, public health or housing justice. Demonstrated leadership in cross‑sector housing initiatives or justice reform coalitions. Bilingual (Spanish & English) Proficient – Spanish language proficiency is strongly preferred but not required. If hired, Spanish‑speaking candidates will spend 20% of their time using Spanish in conversation, writing, and translation. Qualified bilingual staff (confirmed by a certification exam paid by the Employer) will be eligible to receive a stipend at seventy‑five dollars ($75) per month. Spanish‑speaking candidates will be required to take a proficiency test as part of the interview process. Additional Requirements Hybrid position based in Los Angeles. Two days required in office with Thursday as a required day. Frequent fieldwork and weekly office meetings. A valid Driver’s License with a clean and reliable vehicle, with current registration and proof of insurance is required. Requires frequent local travel within Los Angeles including South Bay, South LA, and Southeast LA; mileage reimbursement provided. Applying Consistent with our compensation philosophy, our starting salaries are established to represent strong compensation in the marketplace and to maintain internal equity. The starting salary for this position is fixed at $75,927, with annual increases defined by the current collective bargaining agreement. This is a bargaining unit position with Impact Justice United represented by OPEIU International. The benefits that come with working at Impact Justice include medical, dental, and FSA plans, significant vacation and wellness leave, and immediate vesting in our 401K with a generous match. This is a full‑time, salaried position. This is a hybrid role. The candidate is required to work out of the Oakland office at least 2 times per week, with Wednesday as one of the required days. Building strong relationships is central to this role, which includes traveling frequently throughout the week to meet with participants and partners in the community. The person in this role should expect to be in the field up to 5 days a week. We are NOT considering remote staff for this position. If this all sounds like a good fit for you, please share your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications for the role. We plan on making decisions on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply the better. Hiring Process Recruiter Screen (30 minutes, Zoom) First Round Interview (45-60 minutes, Zoom) Take-Home Exercise (specific instructions will be sent ahead of time) Presentation Interview (60 minutes, in‑person) Final Interview (60 minutes, Zoom) Our goal is to move through the full hiring process within a few weeks, and we are committed to keeping candidates informed at each stage. The process also includes reference checks. Candidates can expect to receive timely communication after each stage. Candidates are welcome to request alternative arrangements at any point in the process (for example, conducting an interview by phone rather than Zoom), and Impact Justice will do our best to accommodate reasonable requests. Please communicate any needs to the hiring manager. Equal Opportunity Employment Impact Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race/ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, criminal history, or disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr