Organizational Overview:

The Housing Collective is a CT-based nonprofit agency that applies a Collective Impact framework to deliver solutions to the most pressing housing problems. Focused on ending homelessness and creating equitable housing opportunities for all, the Housing Collective provides the leadership and support that enables productive, regional collaboration across organizations and sectors and drives equitable systems change.

Job Description: CHO Program Associate

The Housing Collective (HC) is seeking a Program Associate to support the work of the Center for Housing Opportunity (CHO) in Connecticut. The Center for Housing Opportunity is a key program of HC and a collaboration between the Housing Collective, Partnership for Strong Communities, place-based community foundations, and regional partners working together to collectively identify and build upon community driven and data informed solutions to preserve, protect and produce safe and affordable housing for all.

The Program Associate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary staff of collective impact practitioners, affordable housing and homelessness experts, public policy experts, and housing advocates and will support public meetings, events, and outreach in coordination with civic partners and government officials. This position will report directly to the HC’s Chief Initiative Officer for CHO. This is a salaried, full time position with benefits.

We are looking for individuals who share our passion for fostering equitable access to affordable housing. Applicants will ideally have familiarity with Connecticut, with public policy, and with housing and neighborhood planning issues.

Position Overview:

Working with HC’s talented Center for Housing Opportunity staff, the Program Associate will play a key role in advancing CHO’s flagship regional programs and projects from concepts to reality. This includes both broad HC goals related to ensuring equitable access to safe and affordable housing, as well as specific CHO initiatives such as: the implementation of municipal affordable housing plans, identifying and aligning resources to support regional housing solutions, building and maintaining a strong coalition of regional partners, producing research and data to inform policy and practice decision making, and centering equity and resident voice in local, regional, and statewide housing advocacy efforts.

The position requires effectively communicating HC’s and CHO’s goals and objectives to elected and government officials, cross-sector partners, housing practitioners, resident leaders, funders, members of the media, and the public at large.

Responsibilities:

The Program Associate will be responsible for supporting CHO senior staff in achieving CHO short and long term goals and building CHO’s identity as a thought leader on housing affordability in regions throughout the state. Specifically, the Program Associate will-

• Manage administrative tasks for the CHO program, including coordinating calendars, back end support for virtual and in person meetings, taking meeting notes and tracking follow ups, creating event flyers and promotional materials for social media, and assisting with grant writing and reporting.
• Draft materials such as meeting agendas, meeting presentation decks, follow up emails, talking points, policy briefs, letters of support, public comments, and white papers.
• Assist with managing and supporting regional CHO coalitions, coalition meetings and events.
• Work in close collaboration with the Chief Initiative Officer to develop and implement projects that advance affordable housing production and preservation.
• Represent HC and CHO and speak at public hearings and other events.
• Effectively communicate CHO’s mission and objectives to policymakers, media, housing practitioners, municipal staff, community leaders and residents.

Qualifications:

Candidates should have at least two years of program/campaign, issue advocacy, public policy and/or communications experience. Knowledge of CHO issues including affordable housing and urban planning are a plus. Other specific requirements include:

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Attention to detail and the ability to work individually, within a multidisciplinary team, as well as with a diverse set of external partners
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to build and manage coalitions
• Knowledge of Connecticut politics and housing policy issues and an understanding of how to advance key policy priorities
• Ability to multitask and work well under deadlines
• Understanding of Collective Impact
• Experience and proficiency with Google Suite and Canva
• Bachelor’s Degree required

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $68,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person