Housing Case Advocate

YWCA Greater Lafayette is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. 

YWCA Greater Lafayette is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Our Advocacy & Support Services Department provides direct support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking (DV/SA/HT) by offering crisis intervention, legal advocacy, safety planning, and resource coordination. 

The Housing Case Advocate plays a crucial role in empowering survivors by connecting them to essential services, with a specialized focus on rapidly securing safe and stable housing to prevent or end homelessness. 

Position Summary 

The Housing Case Advocate is responsible for providing comprehensive, survivor-centered advocacy to individuals impacted by DV/SA/HT, with a primary focus on housing-first, rapid rehousing services. This position involves case management, housing navigation, landlord engagement, and collaboration with community partners to ensure survivors receive the housing and support they need. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of trauma informed care, experience working with marginalized populations, and the ability to work effectively in high-stress and crisis situations. 

Essential Responsibilities: 

Provide individualized, strengths-based rapid rehousing case management services to survivors, 

including safety planning, crisis intervention, and emotional support. 

• Work collaboratively with clients to assess housing needs, identify potential barriers to housing stability, 

and develop personalized housing action plans. 

• Assist survivors in locating and securing safe, affordable housing in the private rental market. This 

includes housing identification, application assistance, and move-in support. 

• Engage and build positive relationships with local landlords and property managers, acting as a liaison 

between landlords and clients to mitigate tenancy issues. 

• Administer and oversee client financial assistance, including security deposits, utility payments, and short-to-medium-term rental assistance, ensuring compliance with grant requirements. 

• Facilitate housing inspections (e.g., habitability, lead-based paint) and negotiate leases in accordance with program standards. 

• Provide trauma-informed referrals and connections to appropriate wraparound services, such as mental health support, legal aid, and financial empowerment resources. 

• Maintain accurate case notes, client files, and service documentation in the DV Client Track or other required databases to ensure program accountability and compliance with funding requirements. 

• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotations to provide emergency advocacy support as needed. 

• Attend YWCA staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities, particularly those related to rapid rehousing, housing navigation, and trauma-informed practices. 

• Provide crisis advocacy to rape or domestic abuse victims presenting to medical or law enforcement services 

• Advocate for residents and non-resident victims with legal, social services, education and medical organizations as needed. 

• Participate in weekly staff meetings. 

• Maintain client and program confidentiality. 

• Maintain all necessary documentation and records. 

• Represent organization in a professional manner at all required meetings and events. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Associate degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nonprofit Management, or a related field (Bachelor’s degree preferred). 
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or a related field (or equivalent work experience, preferably in a violence intervention/prevention or social services setting.) 
• Experience in advocacy, case management, crisis intervention, or working with survivors of trauma is strongly preferred.  
• Strong knowledge of victim rights, crisis intervention techniques, and community resources. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with varying stakeholders. 
• Commitment to the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women