Senior Program Associate, Housing Specialist (Re-entry)
Impact Justice, Oakland, CA, United States
Senior Program Associate, Housing Specialist (Re-entry)
Department:
The Housing Lab
Employment Type:
Full Time
Location:
Oakland Office
Compensation:
$75,927 / year
Description
Impact Justice advances safety, justice, and opportunity through boundary‑breaking work that honors and empowers people and is changing expectations about what we can accomplish together. We imagine, build, and scale innovations, leverage research and other knowledge to connect the desire for change with informed action, and work to shift the narrative so that decision‑makers and the public understand what’s at stake and what’s possible.
About The Homecoming Project
Using the sharing economy model, the Homecoming Project (THP) at Impact Justice pairs individuals returning home from prison with welcoming community residents (hosts) who have a room in their home to spare. The Homecoming Project pays each host a monthly stipend for housing the participant for up to 6 months. And, THP participants are provided a community navigator that works to connect them to the resources, supports, and wraparound services necessary for community re‑entry. This innovative reentry housing project began in the Bay Area in 2018 and, to date, has housed over 200 returning individuals into homes. The Homecoming Project is currently in Alameda County, West Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, and Los Angeles County.
Check us out.
Who You Are
You have an orientation and belief that criminal justice involvement should not prevent someone from pursuing their housing, employment, education, and personal growth opportunities. You have experience working directly with vulnerable and marginalized populations.
What You Will Do
The anticipated start date for this position is May 4, 2026. You will report to the Program Manager for The Homecoming Project. As a Housing Specialist, you will lead the design and execution of individualized housing strategies for Homecoming Project participants as they prepare to transition into independent housing after completing the program, ensuring long‑term housing stability and systems‑level impact. This role focuses on building pathways to fair‑chance housing opportunities by 1) Supporting participants with housing application submission and planning prior to their program exit and 2) Developing a network of fair‑chance landlords and housing partners who can provide sustainable housing beyond the Homecoming Project. This role will work in close coordination with other Homecoming Project staff. Key responsibilities include:
Housing Navigation – You will independently lead housing strategy and navigation for participants as they prepare for their next housing step after Homecoming. You will assess client goals and barriers, co‑develop strategic housing plans, and guide participants through all stages of placement—from documentation to lease‑up. You will guide participants through the housing search and application process, including documentation preparation, housing readiness coaching, and lease navigation. You may also support participants in preparing for landlord interactions and competitive housing environments.
Case Coordination – You will manage a dedicated caseload with autonomy, coordinating directly with Community Navigators to deliver holistic re‑entry support. You will track key housing metrics, including time‑to‑placement, lease retention, and post‑program stability, and report insights to inform program strategy and funding deliverables. Your case documentation and evaluation will contribute to system‑level improvement across IJ’s housing programs.
Landlord & Community Partner Engagement – You will identify and maintain relationships with housing providers, landlords, transitional housing programs, and government agencies. You will also create a network of fair chance landlords for participants to access. You’ll advocate with landlords and property managers on behalf of clients, helping to reduce stigma and create pathways to lease acceptance. You'll also monitor and assess local housing resources and waitlists, ensuring clients are connected to up‑to‑date opportunities.
Housing Systems Advocacy & Problem‑Solving – You will serve as a subject matter expert on housing rights and reentry barriers, providing advanced problem‑solving and advocacy. You will connect participants to stabilizing resources, and elevate complex issues through appropriate internal channels, when necessary. You will also contribute strategic insight to internal learning and system design conversations within The Housing Lab.
Education / Experience Level
Successful candidates typically have at least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in housing navigation, reentry services, or systems advocacy. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of working independently, strong client advocacy, and stakeholder relationship‑building in complex social service contexts.
Required Qualifications
Housing navigation experience – Familiarity with Bay Area housing systems and barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals.
Interpersonal communication – Excellent verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, and motivational interviewing skills.
Technological fluency – Proficiency in Google Workspace and case management platforms, including Salesforce.
Cultural humility and trauma‑informed care – Deep understanding of how race, incarceration, and poverty intersect to affect housing access.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Fair Housing laws and housing rights advocacy.
Case management skills – Experience tracking client progress, managing caseloads, and coordinating referrals.
Existing relationships with property managers, housing providers, or transitional housing providers in the Bay Area.
Experience with the criminal justice system (personal or professional), working with people impacted by incarceration or other systemic barriers including in: social work, public health or housing justice.
Demonstrated leadership in cross‑sector housing initiatives or justice reform coalitions.
Bilingual (Spanish & English) Proficient‑ reading, writing, and speaking.
Additional Requirements
Hybrid position based in Alameda/West Contra Costa County. Two days required in office with Wednesday as a required day.
Frequent fieldwork and weekly office meetings. A valid Driver’s License with a clean and reliable vehicle, current registration and proof of insurance is required.
Requires frequent local travel within Alameda, West Contra Costa and San Francisco Counties; mileage reimbursement provided.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Impact Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race/ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, criminal history, or disability.
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Department:
The Housing Lab
Employment Type:
Full Time
Location:
Oakland Office
Compensation:
$75,927 / year
Description
Impact Justice advances safety, justice, and opportunity through boundary‑breaking work that honors and empowers people and is changing expectations about what we can accomplish together. We imagine, build, and scale innovations, leverage research and other knowledge to connect the desire for change with informed action, and work to shift the narrative so that decision‑makers and the public understand what’s at stake and what’s possible.
About The Homecoming Project
Using the sharing economy model, the Homecoming Project (THP) at Impact Justice pairs individuals returning home from prison with welcoming community residents (hosts) who have a room in their home to spare. The Homecoming Project pays each host a monthly stipend for housing the participant for up to 6 months. And, THP participants are provided a community navigator that works to connect them to the resources, supports, and wraparound services necessary for community re‑entry. This innovative reentry housing project began in the Bay Area in 2018 and, to date, has housed over 200 returning individuals into homes. The Homecoming Project is currently in Alameda County, West Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, and Los Angeles County.
Check us out.
Who You Are
You have an orientation and belief that criminal justice involvement should not prevent someone from pursuing their housing, employment, education, and personal growth opportunities. You have experience working directly with vulnerable and marginalized populations.
What You Will Do
The anticipated start date for this position is May 4, 2026. You will report to the Program Manager for The Homecoming Project. As a Housing Specialist, you will lead the design and execution of individualized housing strategies for Homecoming Project participants as they prepare to transition into independent housing after completing the program, ensuring long‑term housing stability and systems‑level impact. This role focuses on building pathways to fair‑chance housing opportunities by 1) Supporting participants with housing application submission and planning prior to their program exit and 2) Developing a network of fair‑chance landlords and housing partners who can provide sustainable housing beyond the Homecoming Project. This role will work in close coordination with other Homecoming Project staff. Key responsibilities include:
Housing Navigation – You will independently lead housing strategy and navigation for participants as they prepare for their next housing step after Homecoming. You will assess client goals and barriers, co‑develop strategic housing plans, and guide participants through all stages of placement—from documentation to lease‑up. You will guide participants through the housing search and application process, including documentation preparation, housing readiness coaching, and lease navigation. You may also support participants in preparing for landlord interactions and competitive housing environments.
Case Coordination – You will manage a dedicated caseload with autonomy, coordinating directly with Community Navigators to deliver holistic re‑entry support. You will track key housing metrics, including time‑to‑placement, lease retention, and post‑program stability, and report insights to inform program strategy and funding deliverables. Your case documentation and evaluation will contribute to system‑level improvement across IJ’s housing programs.
Landlord & Community Partner Engagement – You will identify and maintain relationships with housing providers, landlords, transitional housing programs, and government agencies. You will also create a network of fair chance landlords for participants to access. You’ll advocate with landlords and property managers on behalf of clients, helping to reduce stigma and create pathways to lease acceptance. You'll also monitor and assess local housing resources and waitlists, ensuring clients are connected to up‑to‑date opportunities.
Housing Systems Advocacy & Problem‑Solving – You will serve as a subject matter expert on housing rights and reentry barriers, providing advanced problem‑solving and advocacy. You will connect participants to stabilizing resources, and elevate complex issues through appropriate internal channels, when necessary. You will also contribute strategic insight to internal learning and system design conversations within The Housing Lab.
Education / Experience Level
Successful candidates typically have at least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in housing navigation, reentry services, or systems advocacy. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of working independently, strong client advocacy, and stakeholder relationship‑building in complex social service contexts.
Required Qualifications
Housing navigation experience – Familiarity with Bay Area housing systems and barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals.
Interpersonal communication – Excellent verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, and motivational interviewing skills.
Technological fluency – Proficiency in Google Workspace and case management platforms, including Salesforce.
Cultural humility and trauma‑informed care – Deep understanding of how race, incarceration, and poverty intersect to affect housing access.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Fair Housing laws and housing rights advocacy.
Case management skills – Experience tracking client progress, managing caseloads, and coordinating referrals.
Existing relationships with property managers, housing providers, or transitional housing providers in the Bay Area.
Experience with the criminal justice system (personal or professional), working with people impacted by incarceration or other systemic barriers including in: social work, public health or housing justice.
Demonstrated leadership in cross‑sector housing initiatives or justice reform coalitions.
Bilingual (Spanish & English) Proficient‑ reading, writing, and speaking.
Additional Requirements
Hybrid position based in Alameda/West Contra Costa County. Two days required in office with Wednesday as a required day.
Frequent fieldwork and weekly office meetings. A valid Driver’s License with a clean and reliable vehicle, current registration and proof of insurance is required.
Requires frequent local travel within Alameda, West Contra Costa and San Francisco Counties; mileage reimbursement provided.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Impact Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race/ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, criminal history, or disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr