POAH | Action Corps | Resident Engagement

Resident Engagement Coordinator

The Resident Engagement Coordinator will serve with Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) in Chicago, IL from September . POAH is part of Housing Action Corps, an Ameri Corps VISTA program managed by Housing Action Illinois since 2010. Housing Action Corps members receive custom training, support, and networking opportunities in housing and community development, in addition to the traditional benefits of Ameri Corps VISTA.

Learn more: housingactionil.org/americorps. POAH is a national nonprofit whose mission is to preserve, create, and sustain affordable, healthy homes to support economic security and access to opportunity for all. We are an affordable housing developer that cares a great deal about being more than a housing provider, and we view housing as a platform for our residents to pursue their passions.

We want to build our capacity to connect people with community resources while we preserve two large family affordable housing properties in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. The Resident Engagement Coordinator will develop tools and strategies for resident engagement and empowerment to improve household stability in the face of rising neighborhood gentrification pressures. They will also expand our Intergenerational Oral and Archival History Project to foster intergenerational relationships and preserve the history in the Woodlawn community.

Our ideal candidate is curious, empathetic, and flexible, with a willingness to learn and pitch in where needed. They should demonstrate an awareness of housing needs and a commitment to creating a vibrant community alongside residents and housing staff. We are looking for candidates who seek to understand both housing systems as a whole and how to problem solve on behalf of individual households.

This position offers a $500 monthly housing stipend.

While POAH has been active in Woodlawn for more than a decade, there is still much to learn about how best to stabilize and serve its low-income households. The Resident Engagement Coordinator will develop resident leadership skills and opportunities in three main areas of activity: strengthen access to community resources and engagement with the surrounding community, improve household stability through understanding individual household needs, and empower low‑income families to access resources that fit their individualized needs.

The VISTA will create and distribute survey tools, coordinate group and individual meetings, maintain a database of resources, and develop relationships with local partners. They will coordinate our Intergenerational Oral and Archival History Project to identify and support youth and long‑term residents in sharing their experiences.

• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Relocation Allowance
• Childcare assistance if eligible
• $500 Monthly Stipend
• Health Coverage*
• Living Allowance
• Training

• Permits attendance at school during off hours
• Permits working at another job during off hours

• Neighborhood Revitalization
• Community and Economic Development
• Housing

• Business/Entrepreneur
• Public Speaking
• Trade/Construction
• Community Organization
• Communications
• Conflict Resolution
• Architectural Planning
• Urban Planning
• Team Work
• Law
• Computers/Technology