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Housing Mobility Coach

About Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC)

LaFHAC is a non-profit organization that seeks to eradicate housing discrimination, an illegal and divisive force that perpetuates poverty and segregation, and limits opportunity. LaFHAC was established in 1995 and is the only full-service fair housing advocacy organization in Louisiana. LaFHAC addresses housing discrimination by 1) educating housing consumers and providers about their rights and responsibilities to proactively prevent violations of the Fair Housing Act; 2) investigating fair housing violations; 3) challenging discriminatory housing practices and policies through litigation; 4) advocating for new policies that promote equitable housing; and 5) counseling homeowners facing foreclosure.

Required Qualifications

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position may be developed through a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Social Services, Psychology or a similar field.

At least 1 year of relevant work experience or 6 or more years of previous work experience in a similar field.
Direct practice experience is required.
Knowledge of the Housing Choice Voucher program is preferred.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for providing coaching services to families with housing choice vouchers as a part of a new housing mobility program. The Coach holds the primary responsibility of working with families as they choose between neighborhoods, prepare to put in applications, search for homes, and as they transition into their new neighborhoods. The Coach also assists in enrolling families into the program, hosts workshops, and works closely with other program staff to assist families in their moves. The role entails significant interpersonal skills and requires experience in case management.

Essential Functions
• Manage a caseload of clients with housing vouchers to assist them in moving to an opportunity area, including assessing clients’ strengths and barriers to moving, referring clients to outside service agencies, and helping to maintain clients’ motivation to move.
• Assist clients in developing goals to make them ready to move and assess their progress as the take steps toward achieving their goals.
• Provide emotional support to clients as they navigate the housing search process.
• Assist clients in contacting property owners, attend unit tours with clients, and assist clients with developing rental applications.
• Host group workshops for clients to learn how to search for units on the private rental market and how to maintain tenancy with property owners and Public Housing Authorities.
• Perform post-move in-home check-ins with clients to ensure that clients are transitioning smoothly into their new community.
• Work with other program staff to communicate with property owners and clients to assist in resolving any issues identified as clients transition into their new homes.
• Track client and property owner data using case management software programs.
• Participate in interviews by the research partner and other research related activities as requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
• Local, state, and/or federal safety net programs.
• The Orleans Parish rental housing market.
• The role systemic racism plays in shaping communities.

Skills in:
• Best practices and approaches to case management such as motivational interviewing, the person-in-environment approach, and the strengths-based approach.
• Microsoft Office software including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Ability to:
• Provide case management services to clients.
• Read credit reports and provide basic information on how to improve credit scores.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to a diverse clientele.
• Develop rapport and trust among program clients.
• Use the internet to research and obtain information related to available rental housing.
• Navigate case management software packages.
• Assist clients and property owners in solving leasing and tenancy-related issues.
• Perform duties of the position with minimal direction and complete tasks in a time-sensitive environment.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license.

LaFHAC is an equal opportunity employer. LaFHAC values diversity and inclusion in the workplace because it enhances the work we do, reflects the communities we serve, and embodies the values we further and defend. Candidates of all backgrounds are welcome.

Compensation:
The salary for these positions is $45,000 – $50,000. Placement within the salary range will be based on years of experience related to the project goals. LaFHAC’s benefits include 100% employer-paid medical insurance for employees, with available dental and vision coverage; flex spending account; 401(k) with employer-matched contributions; paid vacation, and paid parental leave.

Please Note: LaFHAC’S Housing Mobility Team works on a hybrid schedule. The Housing Mobility Coach will work a hybrid schedule, but will be required to complete in-person tasks that may include, but is not limited to, meeting with vouch holders outside of designated hybrid days.

How to Apply
The position is open until filled. Please email a resume and cover letter to Giazzlyn Duncan, explaining your interest in the position to resumes@lafairhousing.org with the subject line “Housing Mobility Coach.”

Legal Director

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks an experienced Legal Director to support the efforts of its New Orleans-based team. The Legal Director will also lead the Enforcement team’s efforts to defend tenants’ rights and investigate and address violations of the Fair Housing Act across Louisiana.

About LaFHAC:

LaFHAC is a non-profit organization that seeks to eradicate housing discrimination, an illegal and divisive force that perpetuates poverty and segregation and limits opportunity. LaFHAC was established in 1995 and is the only full-service fair housing advocacy organization in Louisiana. LaFHAC addresses housing discrimination by 1) educating housing consumers and providers about their rights and responsibilities to proactively prevent violations of the Fair Housing Act; 2) investigating fair housing violations; 3) challenging discriminatory housing practices policies through litigation; 4) advocating for new policies that promote equitable housing; and 5) counseling homeowners facing foreclosure.

Education and Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a JD from an ABA-accredited law school and be a current member in good standing of the Louisiana Bar. We are unable to accept those who have not yet applied for the bar or are awaiting results at this time.

Responsibilities

The Legal Director will oversee all aspects of pre-litigation advocacy and litigation in eviction, housing discrimination and related civil rights cases, as well as collaborate with the leadership of LaFHAC on education efforts and policy advocacy. The Legal Director’s responsibilities will include:

Lead LaFHAC’s enforcement and right-to-counsel efforts by providing vision, direction, and support to a team of attorneys, legal workers, and support staff;
Grow and manage LaFHAC’s litigation portfolio while meeting FHIP deliverables and goals;
Perform the provision of a full range of services to persons experiencing housing instability and discrimination: counseling, referrals to attorneys or enforcement agencies, representation in administrative and litigation proceedings;
Supervise the attorneys and staff working on the enforcement team;
Serve as liaison and point of contact to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development staff on enforcement issues related to the Fair Housing Initiatives (FHIP) program;
Recruit and manage cooperating attorneys, legal interns, externs, and law clerks;
Manage LaFHAC’s testing program in collaboration with the Coordinator of Investigations;
Partner with LaFHAC staff and external partners as necessary to support enforcement goals and LaFHAC’s mission

Other Responsibilities May Include:

Conduct client intake as needed;
Work collaboratively with other programs and initiatives to promote fair housing;
Represent LaFHAC as necessary in public spaces in a way that embraces and embodies LaFHAC’s mission and goals; and
Other duties as assigned.

Please Note: LaFHAC’s staff continues to work hybrid due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are required to work in the New Orleans office two days per week.

Qualifications:

Applicants for the Legal Director position should have significant experience as a practicing attorney. Additional requirements and necessary skills are:

A demonstrated commitment to civil rights work is required.
Admission to Louisiana State Bar and/or ability to practice in Louisiana federal courts;
5-7 years of experience in a senior level position in legal practice that handled a high volume of civil rights cases or similar civil litigation.
1-3 years of experience managing small teams in a legal nonprofit or law firm;
Demonstrated knowledge of the fair housing complaint process is preferred;
Ability to speak and write about fair housing in a way that resonates with community members and partners (organizational and individual);
Personal connection with and to the harmful effects of segregation and housing discrimination is desired;
Connection to and experience working within communities of color and with other persons likely to experience housing discrimination;
Ability to handle a large volume of housing discrimination cases in a fast-paced setting while growing LaFHAC’s profile in the legal community and the community at large;
Exceptional organization, with project management skills and attention to detail;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Goal-oriented, flexible, eager to learn, takes initiative, and thrives in an entrepreneurial environment with a tight focus on results
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and ambitious deadlines simultaneously
Commitment to LaFHAC’s mission and goals

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $80,000-90,000. Placement on the pay scale is based on the following factors:

Years of relevant work experience
Relevant undergraduate degree (or higher) or certification received
Bilingual language skills
Connections to the community

LaFHAC’s benefits include:

100% employer-paid medical insurance with available dental and vision coverage
Flex spending account
401(k) with employer-matched contributions
Paid vacation
Paid parental leave

How to Apply:

The position is open until filled but we will give priority to applications submitted by November 6, 2025. Please email a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to resumes@lafairhousing.org with the subject line “Legal Director.” All correspondence should be addressed to Ameca Reali, Executive Director. Please note: due to the expected volume of submissions, we will not be able to return emails or phone calls about specific applications.

LaFHAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LaFHAC values diversity and inclusion in the workplace because it enhances the work we do, reflects the communities we serve, and embodies the values we further and defend. Candidates of all backgrounds are welcome.

Staff Attorney

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks a Staff Attorney to work on the investigation and litigation of civil rights violations. The Staff Attorney will represent clients and the organization in fair housing and related civil rights matters in federal, state court, and administrative proceedings.

About LaFHAC:

Education and Admission Requirements

Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney will handle all aspects of pre-litigation advocacy and litigation in housing discrimination and related civil rights cases, as well as assist with education efforts and policy advocacy. The Staff Attorney’s responsibilities will include:

Screening of intakes and requests for legal assistance. .
Where appropriate, assist the Coordinator of Investigations with developing complaint-based testing/investigation strategies.
Engage in a full range of advocacy services, including but not limited to: general legal advising, drafting demand letters and requests for reasonable accommodations.
Devise creative litigation strategies aimed at providing the greatest positive outcome for the client and larger community.
Represent LaFHAC and clients in administrative civil rights enforcement activities and federal court proceedings.
Maintain full and accurate case files for legal proceedings, and assist with the maintenance of records for grant reporting, audits, and other purposes as necessary.
Supervise legal interns, cooperating attorneys, and volunteer attorneys in fair housing litigation and administrative enforcement activities.
Represent and advocate for LaFHAC and the communities we serve at fair housing meetings, events, and before government entities.
Develop and maintain networking relationships within the community.
Safeguard clients’ records and confidentiality.
Work as a team to further the mission and goals of LaFHAC and all its programs

Other Responsibilities May Include:

Conduct client intake as needed;
Work collaboratively with other programs and initiatives to promote fair housing;
Represent LaFHAC as necessary in public spaces in a way that embraces and embodies LaFHAC’s mission and goals; and
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate has all or most of the following qualifications:

A demonstrated commitment to civil rights work is required.
1-3 years experience as a practicing attorney, including federal court litigation experience. Prior experience litigating or working in fair housing and/or other civil rights litigation is highly desirable.
Ability to handle a diverse caseload with substantial independence.
Excellent legal research, writing, and speaking skills.
Creativity and willingness to work with others to develop effective legal and advocacy strategies for advancing civil and housing rights.
Ability to speak to and work with clients and communities of diverse backgrounds.
Excellent time management skills, including the ability to meet tight and overlapping deadlines.
Ability to present complex legal information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range is, and ranges from $60,000-$65,000 based on experience. Placement on the pay scale is based on the following factors:

Years of relevant work experience
Relevant undergraduate degree (or higher) or certification received
Bilingual language skills
Connections to the community

Benefits include:

100% employer-paid medical insurance with available dental and vision coverage
Flex spending account
401(k) with employer-matched contributions
Paid vacation and sick leave
Paid parental leave.

Please Note: LaFHAC’s staff continues to work hybrid due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are required to work in the New Orleans office two days per week.

How to Apply

The position is open until filed but we will give priority applications received by November 6, 2025. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and legal writing sample to resumes@lafairhousing.org. The writing sample should be no longer than five (5) pages, should reflect the applicant’s own work without significant revision from others, and should include discussion of a complex legal issue. Correspondence may be addressed to Ameca Reali, Executive Director. Please note: due to the expected volume of applications, we are unable to confirm receipt of individual application materials. Applicants selected for an interview will be notified via email.

Coordinator of Investigations

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks an experienced Coordinator of Investigations to support the efforts of its New Orleans-based team. The Coordinator of Investigations will also lead the Enforcement team’s efforts to investigate claims of housing discrimination across the State of Louisiana.

About LaFHAC:

The Coordinator of Investigations is primarily responsible for all phases of fair housing testing and investigations projects at LaFHAC including but not limited to rental, financial institution, homeowners’ insurance, and real estate tests.

Responsibilities included, but are not limited to:

Research, create, develop, and implement systemic testing projects;
Work with the Legal Director and enforcement team to ensure all goals and deliverables are met timely;
Maintain, update, and develop testing and training materials and forms as needed;
Conduct and manage tester recruitment, training and retention;
Determine appropriate test arrangements and control factors for investigating complaints of discrimination;
Develop testing methodology for annual enforcement audits;
Coordinate all testing assignments including tester preparation and debriefing;
Ensure records including case files, test logs, Legal Server and all other records are maintained and updated regularly.
Analyze test results through specific comparison;
Assist Legal Director and Executive Director with research, analysis, and data gathering activities
Prepare information and date for enforcement reporting;
Serve as an advocate for fair housing issues.

Other Responsibilities May Include:

Conduct client intake as needed;
Work with LaFHAC staff and others to provide support and advocacy for people faced with housing discrimination;
Work collaboratively with other programs and initiatives to promote fair housing;
Represent LaFHAC as necessary in public spaces in a way that embraces and embodies LaFHAC’s mission and goals; and
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent work experience;
3-5 years experience coordinating fair housing investigations, working as a part of an investigations team, or enforcement team at a fair housing organization preferred;
Experience working in housing justice, housing policy, housing services or civil rights organizations a plus;
Ability to recruit, cultivate, and collaborate with a diverse pool of people;
Demonstrated interest in combating housing discrimination;
Ability to communicate clearly and possess good analytical, problem solving, and writing skills with strong attention to detail;
Possess good teamwork skills and the ability to work with a diverse population;
Ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously with strong attention to detail;
Ability to work and manage projects to completion independently;
Strong written and verbal communication skills;
Available to attend evening and weekend meetings as needed;
Access to reliable transportation;
Must be organized, thorough, accurate, and possess proficiency with microsoft office software, Google workspace, Dropbox and email.

Please Note: LaFHAC’s staff continues to work hybrid due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are required to work in the office two days a week.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $55,000-60,000 annually. Placement on the pay scale is based on the following factors:

Years of relevant work experience
Relevant undergraduate degree (or higher) or certification received
Bilingual language skills
Connections to the community

LaFHAC’s benefits include:

100% employer-paid medical insurance with available dental and vision coverage
Flex spending account
401(k) with employer-matched contributions
Paid vacation
Paid parental leave

How to Apply:

The position is open until filled but we will give priority to applications received by November 6, 2025. Please email a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to resumes@lafairhousing.org with the subject line “Coordinator of Investigations.” All correspondence should be addressed to Ameca Reali, Executive Director. Please note: due to the expected volume of submissions, we will not be able to return emails or phone calls about specific applications.

Internships & Law Clerkships

Law Clerks

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) seeks dedicated, motivated, and talented law students for semester-long and summer internships.

Law clerks assist LaFHAC attorneys with the investigation and litigation of fair housing complaints. Work may involve all aspects of litigation, including client intake, performing legal research, conducting factual investigation, drafting memoranda and motions, analyzing discovery materials, attending court proceedings, and preparing briefs. Law clerks may also assist with community outreach events designed to educate the public about their fair housing rights.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample via email to resumes [at] lafairhousing.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Education, Outreach and Policy Internships

LaFHAC’s Education & Outreach Department provides Fair Housing education to a wide variety of stakeholders including renters, first time homebuyers, landlords, property managers, real estate agents, developers and government officials. We educate the wider public through social media, print and radio advertisements, and targeted outreach. We also conduct workshops for youth and publish an original children’s book The Fair Housing Five. LaFHAC’s Policy Department promotes equitable housing laws and regulations on the local, state, and national levels. Recent victories include the expansion of housing protections for survivors of domestic violence through the passage of the Louisiana Violence Against Women Act in August 2015.

Education, Outreach and Policy Research intern applications are welcomed throughout the year with slots available in the Spring and Fall semesters, as well as over the summer. At this time, internships are unpaid.

Internship Activities

The focus of each internship will be designed in consultation with LAFHAC staff, taking into account department needs and intern skills and areas of interest. Tasks might include:

Producing and posting relevant content (including text, graphics, and video) to Facebook and other social media
Designing advertisements (print, radio, social media), flyers and brochures
Helping plan LaFHAC’s annual Fit for a King Fair Housing Summit, as well as workshops and other events
Tabling at community events and other direct outreach
Assisting with Fair Housing Five youth workshops
Bringing policy related research projects from inception to completion. Projects combine social science skills with project administration (sample projects include research and data collection on the Louisiana state legislature; using U.S. census data to track demographic changes; and mapping opportunity through local land use laws).

Interns should be interested in civil rights, law and policy, history, community education and/or design and marketing. Preferred candidates are tech-savvy, highly organized, and have a basic understanding of federal, state and local government. This is a great way for any social science major to apply classroom skills to real-world challenges. Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours preferred.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Monique Blossom at mblossom [at] lafairhousing.org and Catelyn Williams at cwilliams@lafairhousing.org