Disability Housing Advocate

Disability Housing Advocate – Full Time Grant Funded Position

The Ability Center (ACT) is a non-profit Center for Independent Living. Together, we will work to make our community the most disability friendly in the nation by increasing independence for people with disabilities, discovering true passions, and changing the community’s perception of disability.

The Disability Housing Advocate is a one-year grant funded position that will assist individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining affordable housing in the community. The Disability Housing Advocate conducts outreach to individuals with disabilities looking for housing, advocates on their behalf where necessary, connects consumers to the resources needed to maintain housing, and stays connected with consumers to ensure they remain in housing.

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Conducts outreach to state and local aging and disability providers to develop a referral network.
  • Does research and outreach to local housing and housing subsidy providers to understand the availability of housing for individuals with disabilities including LMH, the 811 program, Miller-Valentine, and other providers of disability housing.
  • Seeks to become a referral source for housing vouchers and mainstreaming vouchers as well as the 811 program.
  • Assists in updating the online housing database, if applicable.
  • Answers calls regarding housing availability and maintains a case load of consumers looking for housing.
  • Assists consumers in engaging with housing agencies including paperwork, agency contacts, and other tasks.
  • Advocates for individuals with disabilities in obtaining reasonable accommodations and modifications that will help them maintain their housing.
  • Advocates for consumers, where necessary, to appeal housing denials.
  • Develops an expertise in housing accessibility. Works with the advocacy team to review new housing for accessibility and advocates for additional accessible, and affordable rental housing.
  • Meet all requirements, deadlines, and reports as listed in grant.
  • Follow up with consumers at the six month and one year mark to ensure that they can maintain their housing.
  • Documentation into all database systems required.

Qualifications: Bachelors’ Degree preferred in Social Work, Disability Studies, or another related field. Prefer candidate has experience advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. Proven record of leading systems change efforts, especially in housing. Able to learn State and Federal Civil rights laws that serve people with disabilities. Must portray a positive attitude toward the needs, abilities, and rights of persons with disabilities. Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and collaboration skills. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to plan and prioritize. Able to use Microsoft Office software, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint. Required to travel to consumer and community locations, seminars, and/or professional meetings; some evening hours required.

Essential Physical Demands: The physical demands must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Will need to remain stationary for periods of time working at a desk; will need to occasionally move about inside the office to access office supplies, filing cabinets, office desk, computer, etc. Will operate a computer, copier, and printer. Will frequently move from one office space to another. The person in this position frequently communicates with others; converse, convey, and exchange accurate information. The person in this position will occasionally operate a personal vehicle, meet with individuals outside the regular work location, and work at venues outside the regular work location.

At the Ability Center, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of belonging by changing perceptions and discovering true passions.

Our employees are our most valuable asset. Your life experiences, self-expression, and unique capabilities represent our team, and the diverse communities we serve.

 ACT is an equal opportunity employer.

The Ability Center is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package.


Please visit the careers page of our website to apply or fax resume to 419-885-5005