Housing Justice Community Organizer

Job Summary:

The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) is seeking a dynamic, passionate, and skilled organizer with experience in community organizing or social justice movement work. NEOCH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to eliminate the root causes of homelessness while loving our diverse community through organizing, advocacy, education, and street outreach. In coordination with the Organizing and Advocacy Director, this role will work directly with residents to organize, educate, and build power to redress our country’s racist housing legacy and ensure that folks that are directly impacted are centered in this work towards housing justice.

The Housing Justice Community Organizer will work to grow and nurture the housing justice movement in Cleveland by advocating for equal access to safe shelter and secure housing. This position will provide regular community outreach, education, and leadership development support to build the capacity of renters to preserve, stabilize, and improve their housing. It will be critical for this position to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of organizing, affordable housing policy, undoing racism strategies, and remain grounded in the city’s historical political context and focused on uprooting systems of oppression.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Hours:

As part of NEOCH’s commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, team members have the flexibility to set their own work hours within the timeframe of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Key Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

Community Engagement

• Organize tenants to link issues identified up to systems level advocacy and demand legislation and administrative policies that further fair housing and prevent homelessness (e.g., “pay to stay,” source-of-income protections, and shallow rent subsidies)
• Provide support for renters to form associations at properties or in neighborhoods that lack cohesive representation and make connections to resources for renters to push for change in areas of concern
• Recruit, train, and develop tenant leaders to build a Housing Justice Organizing Coalition and unite passionate stakeholders to take on issues of housing insecurity and homelessness
• Connect and build broad-based housing justice advocacy and organizing in the community
• Link stakeholders to NEOCH’s education, advocacy, and street outreach work to strengthen campaign work and connections to local organizing efforts

Program Coordination

• In coordination with the Organizing & Advocacy Director, develop a system to respond to inadequate housing conditions reported by renters and determine existing efforts and capacity for organizing in rental housing
• In collaboration with community partners, establish a curriculum and community engagement strategy that educates renters on their housing rights and mobilizes them to respond to common predatory practices by landlords that often result in displacement and homelessness
• Track, manage, and analyze data to inform campaign planning
• Work to develop the skills, capacity, and analysis of renters through formal and informal leadership development work to encourage participation and a sense of ownership among members through relationship-building
• Build grassroots capacity to manage eviction-prevention efforts

Qualifications:

• Experience and knowledge in community organizing, coalition building, and building power through grassroots organizing required
• A minimum of five years of experience working with low-income individuals and/or those experiencing homelessness
• Possession of a high school diploma or GED
• Commitment to NEOCH’s mission, vision, and values
• Commitment to fostering a work environment and organizing campaigns that challenge and undo racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-immigrant sentiment and other forms of prejudice and oppression
• Proven experience working with the public, and developing and maintaining excellent relationships
• Excellent oral, written, and organizational skills with attention to detail
• Experience with Microsoft Suite, data entry, and documentation or commitment to learn (training can be provided)
• Ability to work flexible hours in times of need, including weekends and evenings
• Awareness of and adherence to strict boundaries and professional ethics in the care of others
• Belief in the principles of self-determination, social justice, and equity
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred
• Ability to provide own transportation
• Ability to lift and carry supplies equal to or greater than 30-50 pounds

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $44,000/year
• Benefits include:
• Generous vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible hybrid work environment
• Emphasis on work-life balance and staff well-being

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This role requires both office-based and community-based work. It involves frequent walking, driving, and engagement in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. The position occasionally requires lifting up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities.

Team members regularly work with individuals in crisis, and exposure to environmental or health-related risks (e.g., weather conditions, pest control products, or infectious materials) may occur during outreach activities.

NEOCH’s Commitment to Equity

NEOCH is committed to dismantling systemic oppression including racism, sexism, transphobia, classism, and ableism. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of homelessness or poverty. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by March 1st, 2026

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $44,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Cleveland, OH 44114 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Cleveland, OH 44114: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Cleveland, OH 44114