Staff Attorney, Housing Justice

Organizational Description: The Shriver Center on Poverty Law fights for economic and racial justice. We litigate, shape policy, and train and convene multistate networks of lawyers, community leaders, and activists to advance opportunity for all — not just the few. Over nearly 60 years, we have secured hundreds of law and policy victories with and for people experiencing economic instability in Illinois and across the country.

Our country is rife with laws and policies that systematically disadvantage certain groups while advantaging others based on their race, gender, and other facets of their identities. We believe laws and policies — and the institutions that apply them — should be designed to support people. Together, we’re turning this ideal into reality.

We are building a future where all people, families, and future generations have equal dignity, respect, and power under the law. Through our advocacy initiatives, we work to win positive change and provide a range of professional development resources that build and support the national network of advocates engaged in those efforts. Join the fight at povertylaw.org.

Position Overview: This position is for a staff attorney who is passionate about housing justice. They will participate in advocacy to preserve safe, decent, affordable housing for low-income families; advance fair housing, and expand housing access for disproportionately excluded populations. To achieve these objectives on a state and national level, the Housing Justice Staff Attorney will use a variety of tools, including legislative advocacy, coalition building, and litigation.

Responsibilities:

· Conduct outreach, education, and litigation to protect the homes of families living in publicly-supported affordable housing in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

· Support the work of tenant and community organizers in building and strengthening tenant associations.

· Work with partner organizations to formulate and carry out strategies to enforce Illinois law prohibiting source of income discrimination in housing.

· Engage in legislative and administrative advocacy to promote policies that provide stable housing for low-income families and expand fair housing protections.

· Serve as co-counsel or lead counsel in Shriver Center litigation, including under the Fair Housing Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, and Fair Credit Reporting Act and Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.

· Participate in other housing-related advocacy and help the Shriver Center transfer its knowledge and successes regionally and nationally.

· Contribute to fundraising for advocacy initiatives, including assisting with grant proposals, attending site visits, and identifying new funding sources.

· Continue to learn about issues and potential or systemic housing solutions through contact with clients, direct service providers, and community organizations.

· Develop strategies for accomplishing positive changes for our clients.

· Contribute to strategic thinking for all of the Shriver Center’s anti-poverty and race equity efforts.

· Engage in in-depth research and scholarship on matters related to housing equity.

· Oversee work of volunteers and law student interns as needed.

· Participate as needed in various administrative tasks and Shriver Center committees.

· Travel to Springfield, Illinois and national conferences and meetings as needed.

· Other duties as assigned.

Salary/Benefits: This full-time exempt position offers a competitive public interest salary of $75,470 to $97,355. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, generous paid leave, flexible work schedules, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, and a 401(k) plan.

Opening/Closing Date: Open immediately; we will accept applications until the position is filled, at which time the job announcement will be removed from our website. We hope that one of those applications is yours.