[act-ma] Organizing Opportunity at MAHT

[Kay Mathew]

Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130   www.saveourhomes.org/maht  
maht at saveourhomes.org

Job Description:  Lead Tenant Organizer Boston Area

The Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants (MAHT), a tenant-controlled alliance of resident associations in HUD-subsidized multi-family housing, seeks an experienced Lead Organizer to organize and support tenants fighting to save and improve their homes in Eastern and Central Massachusetts.  As Lead Organizer, s/he will play a role in supervising the organizing team, including coordination of two critical MAHT projects:  1) the integration of voter registration strategies with tenant organizing goals; and, 2) potential VISTA volunteer program. As the oldest and most accomplished HUD tenant coalition in the US, MAHT has preserved more than 9,700 apartments through tenant organizing since 1983.  MAHT has 38 tenant association and organizing committee members representing more than 8,000 families. MAHT is the Massachusetts affiliate of the National Alliance of HUD Tenants, the only national tenants union in the US, with which MAHT shares office and staff. MAHT and NAHT play a key role in fighting for policies to save privately-owned, HUD subsidized housing at risk of conversion to market rents.   
 
Responsibilities Include:
Help coordinate MAHT field organizing efforts, including intensive door-knocking drives 

Assist HUD tenants in organizing and strengthening tenant groups at the building level

Assist tenant leadership in setting goals, strategizing and building campaigns to save and improve at-risk HUD housing, including resident-controlled ownership where feasible

Assist tenant leadership in conducting participatory planning and training workshops

Manage Voter Registration, Education and Mobilization (VREM) and VISTA volunteer projects, including supervision & field training for part-time VREM organizers & VISTA Volunteers, grant management and reporting

Develop fliers, newsletters, Action Alerts, fact sheets and other materials and post them to the web

Help tenant groups negotiate with owners and agencies for repairs, services and affordable rents

Involve tenants in city-wide, statewide and national activities, coalitions, and campaigns

Assist tenant groups in assembling appropriate technical resources

Help coordinate National Alliance of HUD Tenants Annual Save Our Homes Conference

Qualifications:
Commitment to social change and the empowerment of low and moderate income people

Experience working with racially and economically diverse groups of people

Organizing experience, preferably in the housing field
Project-management and supervisory experience; knowledge of A*VISTA 
program helpful

Knowledge of HUD housing issues or ability to learn 

Experience with VREM campaigns and integration of voter databases with organizing campaigns

Grassroots leadership-training experience and knowledge of popular education methods 

Experience in planning and coordinating large meetings, events and campaigns

Strong administrative, oral and written communication skills

Excellent computer skills including all MS applications; database and web experience helpful

Ability to work as a creative contributing member of a strong staff team

Ability and willingness to travel in Eastern/Central Massachusetts and to Washington DC

Must have cell phone, driver’s license, a car or routine access to a car 

Bi-lingual capacity (Spanish, Creole, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese) helpful 

Grasp of big picture with an eye for detail

Possessing initiative, enthusiasm, sense of humor, and a collaborative approach 

Available to work evenings and weekends

Salary & benefits:   	Mid 30’s to Low 40’s, depending on experience.  2/3 health and dental insurance for individual, family health negotiable.  Two weeks paid vacation first year, more thereafter.

People of color, women, and residents of multifamily HUD housing are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to maht at saveourhomes.org.  No phone calls please.  Position open until filled.



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