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The mission of the International Institute of New England (IINE) is to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement and pathways to citizenship. One of the oldest and largest human services organizations for New Americans in the region, IINE serves more than 2,500 people each year in Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Our programs include case management, youth and family services, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), employment and skills training, and immigration legal services.

A dynamic, forward-looking, smart and rapidly growing non-profit organization, we seek well-qualified, solutions-focused candidates who are experts in their respective fields. Successful candidates will join a committed team of professional staff and volunteers who are devoted to welcoming and serving new Americans.

Position Title: Housing Coordinator – Boston, MA
  • Reports to: Community Services Manager, Boston
  • Supervises: N/A
  • Status: Non-Exempt, Full Time
  • Pay Rate: $21.85/hr.
  • Work Location: Boston, MA

Benefits:
Full-time employees will be eligible for all benefits including vacation, personal, sick days and twelve paid holidays. You may participate in all benefit programs that IINE establishes and makes available to eligible employees, under (and subject to all provisions of) the plan documents that govern those programs. Currently, IINE offers medical, dental and vision. Company-paid life insurance, company-paid short term disability (STD), long term disability (LTD), accidental death and dismemberment and disability coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), other benefits including 403(b) with company match plan(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of company policy and the 403(b)-plan document. Other perks such as discounts through our vision plan, fitness reimbursement and more.

Overview:
The Housing Coordinator identifies and secures housing for resettling refugee and evacuee clients. This position is responsible for securing decent, safe, and sanitary housing for refugee clients based on federal, local, and state housing quality standards. The Housing Coordinator develops a housing procurement plan, builds relationships with area landlords, identifies, inspects, and secures housing, negotiates leases, and works closely with clients, area landlords and local municipal agencies to support successful tenancy relationships
The Coordinator is responsible for program compliance with housing standards and must remain up to date on policies, guidance, and regulations. This position works closely with the Community Services Manager and Community Services team and supports other housing activities and case management services as needed.

The Housing Coordinator also oversees the rent and utility assistance application process for resettling refugee and evacuee clients and provides direct “hands-on” assistance to help refugees to obtain and maintain emergency assistance for rent, utilities, home energy heating costs, and other housing costs through Community Action Partnership Agencies.
The Housing Coordinator works closely with clients and area landlords to, verify eligibility, interview applicants and support tenant applications, coordinate landlord participation and the submission of qualifying documentation, and support the ongoing household re-qualification process to maintain assistance.

The Boston office places clients in New Bedford, Lynn, Cambridge, Methuen, Everett, Revere Brockton and more.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Housing Sourcing Duties:
  • Identify, inspect, negotiate leases, and secure client housing; take possession of keys; support apartment set ups and move-ins.
  • Set up utilities for clients. Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator and oversee apartment setups and move-in, housing sourcing, and other case management activities as assigned.
  • Help clients understand and sign tenant leases.
  • Maintain working relationships with property owners and serve as primary contact to all landlords for initial and ongoing issue.
  • Provide immediate response to both tenant and landlord concerns and pro-active follow-up home visits to support successful client tenancy.
Rental Assistance Support Duties:
  • Work directly with refugees and evacuees to verify assistance eligibility, complete a variety of assistance applications, help collect required documentation, submit and track applications, and support ongoing household requalification processes.
  • Work with clients on long-term housing goal plans and budgets.
  • Create and maintain consistent communication channels, both verbal and written, between several parties (i.e. tenant, landlord and other collaborating agencies).
Admin Duties:
  • Document all interactions and activities in Apricot, IINE’s client database; Maintain required agency records including reports.
  • Submit rental requests and confirming rents have been paid by regular communication with landlord.
  • Mail rent checks or set up direct deposit and guarantee rent payments.
  • Participate in regularly scheduled staff and team meetings; participate in program development and planning activities.

Qualifications:
  • Fluency in Dari or Pasto preferred but not required.
  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent work experience preferred.
  • Minimum of two years of professional experience in community, customer services, or housing assistance.
  • Experience working with family-based and/or emergency support services preferred.
  • Familiarity with Massachusetts housing standards and programs preferred.
  • Experience working with non-profit agencies preferred.
  • Experience or knowledge of grant/contract compliance preferred.
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Word and Excel to produce documents and reports.
  • Ability to provide guidance to diverse groups and elicit support and cooperation.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to take initiative, work effectively independently with little supervision and in a team setting.
  • Responsible for all program-related data entry and service documentation.
  • A demonstrated interest in the mission of the organization;
  • Experience working with immigrants and refugees preferred
  • Extremely well organized, detail oriented, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
  • High-levels of discretion and maturity in dealing with confidential information.
  • Must have access to a personal vehicle, maintain automotive insurance, and have a current driver’s license; the position involves regular local travel.

COVID-19 Notice:
Please be advised that IINE mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees must be able to attest to or provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.

US Work Eligibility Notice
This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States, and IINE is unable to provide visa sponsorship in connection with this.