Advocate

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non‑profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more o.org.

Job Type: Full‑time.

Housing Advocate 1

Specialist 1 / Grade 8

Starting at $48,600 per year

Non‑Exempt;
Professional; 8864

• IRCO Main Office, 10301 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97220
• Africa House, 709 NE 102nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220
• Pacific Islander & Asian Family Center, 8040 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
• Slavic & Eastern European Center, 555 SE 99th Ave Suite 101, Portland, OR 97216

1.0 FTE;
Full‑Time with Benefits;
Regular

(1)

www.irco.org

Survivor Housing / Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Housing Stabilization

• English required, bilingual preferred
• Familiarity with rapid rehousing or HUD very valuable
• Oregon Domestic Violence Certification within 10 days of hire
• Must be able to pass an extensive background check
• Must possess a valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and have full use of automobile during work hours

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

IRCO’s Housing Stabilization department consists of its Survivor Housing program, which works with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to identify and place survivors into transitional and long‑term housing; its Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, which provides comprehensive support to families with children at risk or experiencing homelessness, delivering services to families residing at the Hazel Ying Lee & The Ellington apartments;

and its New Arrivals Housing program, which identifies and places newly arrived refugee families into transitional and long‑term housing. Together, these programs are comprised of teams of Housing Specialists who help clients with emergencies and stabilized housing solutions; case management; strengthening self‑sufficiency; linkages to education and employment opportunities; assistance with accessing grants or other community resources; transportation; and navigating housing issues.

The Housing Advocate 1 is responsible for expedited delivery of the HUD New Beginnings program, providing permanent housing to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking in Multnomah County, delivering case management, economic empowerment, and resource connection to survivors. The Housing Advocate 1 focuses on increasing housing options for survivors by establishing connections with landlords, property managers, and other service providers.

All Survivor Housing staff utilize a survivor‑centered, strengths‑based, empowerment model to cultivate trust, establish and promote trauma‑informed communication, and provide advocacy and case management that facilitates, encourages, and assists clients to reach their goals.

• Collaborate with Survivor sector and partner agencies to identify and support referred participants to the HUD New Beginnings program and coordinate supportive services before and after acceptance into the rapid rehousing program
• Provide trauma‑informed advocacy
• Manage a caseload of 12–16 households and develop comprehensive case management plans for permanent housing stability, health and wellness, legal services, employment and educational placements, and other appropriate services as driven by survivor priorities and goals
• Provide or secure interpretation, translation, and accessibility services
• Navigate risk assessment with survivors and provide immediate and ongoing safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelters and motels, and mental health services as needed
• Assist participants in gathering income verification, calculating rental assistance…