Texas Tenants Union, AmeriCorps VISTA Community Organizer, Application Deadline, BTT Gateway Job ID 11395

Mon, January 25, 2016

Explore this position in your BTT Gateway account, Job ID 11395

The Texas Tenants' Union is seeking applicants to organize tenants in privately-owned, HUD-subsidized apartment complexes as Americorps*VISTA volunteers. VISTA is a national service program where volunteers receive a monthly stipend and other benefits. 

The VISTA Volunteers will work to form and strengthen tenant organizations where there is a risk of loss of affordable housing or where there are substandard conditions. The VISTAS will door knock, leaflet, identify and recruit leaders, educate tenants about their rights and help tenants preserve and improve their homes. VISTAs will receive training through the National Alliance of HUD tenants along with 33 other VISTA organizers across the US. The VISTA Affordable Housing Preservation Project is sponsored by Equal Justice Works. 

Qualifications: 

Commitment to social change through empowerment of lower income people 
Ability to read and write clearly and concisely 
Public speaking skills 
Ability and willingness to engage in door to door outreach 
Willingness to work with racially, ethnically, culturally, generationally diverse groups 
Availability to work evenings and weekends, as needed 
Spanish bilingual capacity helpful 
Valid driver’s license and access to a car is helpful 
Experience in community organizing and outreach preferred 

VISTA volunteers are paid a monthly stipend of $983 in the Dallas area and an education award of $5,730 for each year of service or an alternative cash stipend of a lesser amount and full health benefits. If you are a HUD tenant, your VISTA stipend is excluded income in subsidized rental housing. VISTAs can also defer student loans during the service year. 

More information can be found at this link: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=58341&fromSearch=true