Housing Families Inc. Looking for Homelessness Prevention and Legal Services at Malden, Massachusetts Full Time

Job Title:

Attorney (Spanish speaking preferred)

Hiring Manager:

Jayna Stafford

HM Title:

Director of Homelessness Prevention and Legal Services

Date:

January 2022

About Housing Families

Housing Families Inc., founded in 1986 by community members concerned about the growing crisis of homelessness, has helped families make the transition out of homelessness to successfully retain permanent housing. Today, Housing Families is one of the largest and most capable providers of EA Family Shelter and affordable rental housing in Massachusetts.

We are working on becoming a thought leader in the field of housing equity, to advocate with our clients at the state and federal lawmaking level, and to ensure that our culture and practices are rooted in antiracism and equity.

Our vision is a world in which everybody has a place to call home. We are looking for those who share in this vision and for skilled, compassionate individuals who share in our agency values of Respect, Caring, Integrity, Growth, and Teamwork:

• Respect – We treat people with dignity.
• Caring – We show compassion and act thoughtfully.
• Integrity – We adhere to high standards.
• Growth – We foster innovation and continuous development.
• Teamwork – We collaborate and celebrate.

Our vision is further supported by our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). These are our beliefs to which we aspire to align our behaviors every day. We are looking for members of our team who are eager to join a rapidly growing organization striving to meet the housing equity and wellbeing needs of the communities we serve.

Housing Families offers the following services to over 2,500 residents of the Gateway Cities of Malden, Chelsea, Medford, Revere, and Everett each year:

• Housing Services
  • 101 units of Emergency Assistance Family Shelter
  • 21 bed Adult Individual Shelter
  • 85 units of Permanent Supportive Housing, 38 of which are designated for disabled head of households
  • Comprehensive case management for each family and individual living in our shelter or permanent housing
• Homelessness Prevention & Legal Services
  • Legal representation in housing court
  • Legal advice, referrals, mediation
  • Eviction prevention case management
  • Rental assistance and direct financial assistance
• GREAT Youth & Families Program
  • Individual Counseling for children and adults
  • Therapeutic groups for children and adults
  • Academic support and tutoring for children
  • School vacation and Saturday School programming for children
• Food Pantry Program
  • Nutritious, culturally appropriate food and grocery assistance for the families and individuals in our programming

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Role Purpose: The attorney should have an understanding of low-income populations, knowledge of relevant human services programs, good verbal and written communication skills, ability to prepare statistical reports on various aspects of program-related activity, and ability to collect and distribute information to staff members.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains a substantial client caseload as determined by funding sources and the Coordinating Attorney
• Stays current on laws and regulations applicable to the position
• Writes in a clear, concise manner
• Assists paralegal in assessment and intervention with clients
• Helps develop and maintain contact with community resources relevant to client needs
• Abides by the BBO and Agency confidentiality policies
• Provides community trainings to tenants, landlords, service providers and volunteer attorneys as requested
• Participates in legal housing initiatives which currently include Lawyer for The Day and the Everett and Medford Legal Outreach Clinics and will include efforts in Chelsea and Revere
• Participates in and making him/herself available for other projects as determined by funding sources and the Coordinating Attorney
• Makes him/herself available to staff and the community for general questions
• Provides appropriate referrals
• Covers Pro Bono Legal Services Program cases for other attorneys and paralegal
• Works closely with the Paralegal, student interns, and volunteers–providing necessary supervision in the Coordinating Attorney’s absence
• Works in conjunction with other providers as determined appropriate
• Collects and enters all required client contact and information into files

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

Eligibility Requirements:

• JD and admission to the Mass. Bar.
• Working knowledge of the impact of trauma and homelessness is preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish speaking) strongly preferred

APPLICATIONS/COMPENSATION:

• Compensation/Hours: Full-Time/Salaried Role
• Benefits: Medical, Dental and Retirement Plan
• Please send a cover letter and resume to:
• Please include “Homelessness Prevention Attorney” in the subject line.