Director, Housing Is

About Housing Is

Housing Is is an initiative founded by the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities to bridge gaps among the housing, health and education sectors to improve life outcomes for low-income individuals and families. It now operates as a separate 501(c)3 under the direction and operations of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities. Housing Is focuses its efforts on identifying and promoting best practices, developing resources for practitioners and policymakers, providing relevant training and consultation, and supporting policy and advocacy that promotes cross-sector collaboration.

Its key event is the annual Housing Is Summit, the pre-eminent conference dedicated to collaboration among the housing, education, and health sectors. Now in its 13th year, the Summit brings more than 200 attendees from across the nation to learn from each other, share best practices, and forge new collaboration.

Housing Is through CLPHA and UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance provider in the United States that serves more than 50 million Americans, collaborate on a multi-million-dollar initiative that integrates health systems, public housing authorities, housing providers, and community-based organizations to address health equity challenges in publicly assisted housing. Launched in 2020, the program aims to close care gaps and co-develop health interventions for low-income residents. Seven public housing authorities who are members of CLPHA are anchor organizations for the Community Collaborative program.

Housing is sits on the steering committee of Thrive from the Start, a coalition of leading organizations across early childhood, housing, and homelessness systems dedicated to ensuring all expectant parents, infants, toddlers, and their families have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

 

About the Position

The Director, Housing Is reports to the CEO of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, who also serves as CEO of the Housing Is 501(c)3. The position provides leadership and strategic direction, shaping and leading the organization's cross-sector work. The Director position is responsible for creating and strengthening partnerships between the housing sectors and other sectors, disseminating best practices, grant development and grant management activities.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in anti-poverty policy, the intersection of education policy and housing, strategic planning, organizational management, a demonstrated acumen for developing new relationships and balancing multiple projects while leading others, strong analytical and writing skills, and experience in the low-income housing arena. Grant experience and grant writing are essential unless Housing Is brings on or has added a development staff role or consistent consultant engagement.

 

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of Housing Is including the vision/thought leadership, strategic plan, financials, grant development and projects, and staff. Contribute to CLPHA's overall management and policy direction. Work with CLPHA colleagues to facilitate cross-sector work in CLPHA's portfolio.
• Design and execute the annual Housing Is Summit, the largest conference dedicated cross-sector work that bridges the housing, health and education sectors. Summit planning responsibilities include determining conference theme, speaker and panelist selection, Summit space selecting and contract management, and working with CLPHA communications to raise awareness for the Summit.
• Direct the UHC Community Collaborative project which includes managing project lead staff position, overseeing financial reporting, and shaping the program’s goals and objectives.
• Lead Housing Is’ efforts on the steering committee of Thrive from the Start.
• Drive efforts for fundraising, grant writing, management, and reporting, as well as sub-granting. Build and maintain funder relationships as part of strategic work to bolster Housing Is.
• Forge and sustain partnerships with external stakeholders including the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services and Education. Additional partnerships include national nonprofits, advocacy organizations, researchers, and local housing partners.
• Oversee financial management of grants, contracts, and corporate sponsorships.
• Develop and advance a research and policy agenda that promotes cross-sector efforts to improve life outcomes for low-income individuals and families.
• Represent Housing Is at meetings and conferences.
• Provide technical assistance to Housing Is partners on cross-sector issues such as data sharing, connectivity, as well as participating in conversations on these topics with external stakeholders and driving the efforts with external partners.

 

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge, experience, and interest in housing policy, education policy, welfare policy, public health, social determinants of health, and general anti-poverty drivers, particularly concerning low-income individuals and families.
• Experience in leading conference planning including panel topics, speaker invitations, hotel contracts, and conference marketing.
• Graduate degree in public health, public policy, health administration preferred (MPH, MPA, MPP, MHA, MS) or other related nonprofit management experience.
• 8-10 years of professional experience in a non-profit advocacy organization, federal government or Congress with proven leadership experience including strategic planning, managing a small organization, and hiring and supervising multiple staff.
• Demonstrated success in building trust with stakeholders and policymakers, including successful outcomes in grant writing and development.
• Strong writing and critical thinking skills, as well as policy analysis, with an ability to communicate clearly and effectively.