NHLP Seeks Homeownership Assistance Fund Coalition Coordinator

About / September 23, 2021

NHLP seeks an attorney or policy advocate to help coordinate the work of the Homeowner Assistance Fund Coalition. The Coalition focuses on advocacy and technical assistance related to the $10 billion Homeowner Assistance Fund created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the American Rescue Plan and administered by the U.S. Treasury Department.

ABOUT THE HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND COALITION

The American Rescue Plan included almost $10 billion to be used for a Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to help homeowners who experienced financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Treasury Department is responsible for overall program design and oversight. HAF dollars are distributed to states, territories and Tribes (“Grantees”), with each jurisdiction developing a program tailored to meet the needs of its own population of at-risk homeowners. Grantees submit their respective program plans to Treasury for review and approval prior to receiving their full allocation. Currently, about 50% of the states and territories have plans under review with Treasury, and the rest will be submitting their plans during Fall of 2021. Programs are expected to launch starting in early October or November.

A core group of national advocacy groups has been working together to promote the effective and equitable implementation of HAF. The Coalition includes Americans for Financial Reform, the National Housing Law Project, the National Consumer Law Center, the National Fair Housing Alliance, the National Housing Resource Center, UnidosUS, and the Center for Responsible Lending. The Coalition’s work so far has included preparing detailed recommendations to the Treasury Department about how to design and implement the program in order to reach the homeowners who most need the assistance, particularly homeowners of color, seniors, and homeowners with limited English proficiency, limited broadband access, disabilities and other barriers.

The Coalition also works with legal aid attorneys and housing counselors around the country and with groups representing state-level HAF administrators and mortgage servicers to develop and disseminate best practices. As HAF programs start to launch in the Fall of 2021, the Coalition aims to monitor implementation by states, territories and Tribes, provide technical assistance to legal aid attorneys and housing counselors working directly with homeowners, and continue to advocate with the Treasury Department and select HAF program administrators based on lessons learned on the ground.

https://www.nhlp.org/wp-content/uploads/HAF-Coalition-Coordinator-2021.pdf

SCOPE OF THE POSITION

Working with the Supervising Attorney, the Coordinator will help coordinate the work of the Coalition, draft comments on state programs and Treasury Department guidance, track HAF programs and provide technical assistance to state level advocates. The Coalition plans to track problems homeowners may have accessing and getting assistance from the program, with a particular focus on whether information about the program is reaching seniors, borrowers of color, and borrowers with limited English proficiency, limited broadband access or other barriers. Coordinating with state advocates, including housing counselors, legal services attorneys, and community organizations is a critical component of the position. The Staff Attorney will also conduct trainings, develop fact sheets, and assist with outreach to the media and to researchers interested in collecting and analyzing data about the program.

The position will be for a one-year term, with the possibility of transitioning to a staff attorney position focused on homeownership issues in low-income communities and communities of color, depending on future funding and the desire of the candidate.

ABOUT NHLP

The National Housing Law Project’s mission is to advance housing justice for poor people and communities. We achieve this by strengthening and enforcing the rights of tenants and low-income homeowners, increasing housing opportunities for underserved communities, and preserving and expanding the nation’s supply of safe and affordable homes. NHLP works at the crossroads of housing and community development advocacy, legal services for the poor, and civil rights. Our work is grounded in the realities that shape poor people’s housing choices. Housing security is an essential component of racial and civil equality and a critical foundation for education, health, employment, social engagement, and opportunity. We provide communities and their advocates with the tools they need to advance those rights. NHLP has offices in San Francisco and Washington DC.

The National Housing Law Project is committed to an environment of inclusion and equitable opportunity for members of the Housing Justice Network, our partner organizations, clients, staff, and board. We seek to hire individuals from diverse backgrounds, especially people with lived experiences impacted by housing insecurity and discrimination, or who have experienced the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination. We actively promote mutual respect, acceptance, appreciation and teamwork across all lines of difference.

PREFERED SKILLS

This position will involve interaction with people from many different organizations and helping to keep a coalition efficient and effective. Strong interpersonal skills and organization will be key to success in the position. Experience with homeowners, mortgage servicing, loss mitigation, foreclosure, mortgage lending, homeownership programs and/or the administration of government assistance programs is a plus. A law degree and license to practice law is preferred but not required. NHLP is committed to the housing rights of low-income tenants and homeowners. The applicant should share that commitment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary will depend on the qualifications of the applicant but will be roughly tied to NHLP’s attorney salary scale. The salary scale is dependent on years of service. First year attorneys start at $62,000, while attorneys at year 10 make $100,000. For attorneys or other advocates with more than 10 years of experience the salary will be negotiated. NHLP provides fully paid health, dental, vision and other insurance for its employees.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please email the following to hr@nhlp.org :

Cover letter that details your interest in and qualifications for the position
Resume
Three references
A writing sample

The position was posted on September 20, 2021. This position will remain open until filled but an initial review of applications will occur starting on October 1 in order to fill the position as soon as possible.

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Supervising Attorney

LOCATION: Flexible (within the United States)