The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented eviction risk for U.S. renters- we formed the Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) in April 2020 as a direct response. Over the past few years, our community organizing project has evolved into a large housing stability organization.

Specifically, CEDP offers a “continuum care” approach to eviction prevention that centers the legal and financial needs of housing-insecure families and uses a variety of tools to keep them housed. Serving more than 1,200 households per month, we bring together housing lawyers, economists, data analysts, policy-experts, organizers, and technologists to serve our clients.

Our model has been cited as a best practice by White House, HUD, the Urban Institute, and in the media.

As COVID moves from pandemic to endemic, CEDP is working to stabilize families who have been left behind and fight community wealth stripping through a broader Community Economic Defense model. As our team continues to scale our services at risk of eviction, we are also beginning to build a comprehensive economic, legal, and policy response to mortgage foreclosure, debt, and predatory towing across Colorado. Similar to CEDP’s work on rental housing, these efforts will offer a continuum of care that includes navigation and advisory services, targeted payments, legal support, and the ability to participate in advocacy.

As our team continues to scale our services at risk of eviction, we are also beginning to build a comprehensive economic, legal, and policy response to foreclosure across Colorado. Similar to CEDP’s work on rental housing, this effort will seek to provide homeowners at risk of foreclosure with a continuum of care that includes navigation and advisory services, targeted payments, legal support, and the ability to participate in advocacy.

More about the Policy Associate position

We are seeking a qualified professional to support our policy and direct service teams in creating more just and accessible housing, economic, and direct service systems in Colorado.

Candidates are expected to work comfortably under pressure with tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. You must exercise sound judgment and have strong written and verbal skills as well as the ability to collaborate with peers and managers to adapt and improve new processes.

In This Role You Will:

• Work directly with our clients to design effective, responsive policy to meet their needs and drive systemic change
• Engage in direct client-service work at courthouses and community centers as part of our case-to-case organizing model
• Conduct research on existing policy, best practices, and national trends to support policy and legislative priorities identified by our clients
• Produce internal policy briefs and collaborate with team members to develop accurate and strategic public facing policy communications
• Support and collaborate with policy team on editorial and academic writing
• Support our clients as they prepare for public events, draft statements, and engage in public dialogue about housing and economic challenges in Colorado

Requirements:

• An understanding of the systemic challenges to housing and economic justice and a desire to identify and implement big picture changes
• A strong desire to work in a collaborative environment centered on social justice and equity
• Possess high levels of cultural competency and/or sensitivity to analyze policy impacts and engage with and empower clients effectively and respectfully
• Comfort with ambiguity and unpredictability in a rapidly changing and people focused work environment
• Ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse personal and professional backgrounds and to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, organizational partners, and clients
• Work independently with assistance from external consultants and supervision from internal leader(s)
• Openness and adaptability to new environments
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving organization
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational abilities
• Comfort with and ability to effectively navigate a remote first work environment

To Apply:

Interested candidates should apply by clicking the button to apply linked on this page.

Equal Opportunity

The Community Economic Defense Project is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Benefits & Compensation

• Salary range is $58-65,000 per year, based on experience.
• Benefits include health, vision, dental, unlimited paid vacation, short-term and long-term disability, and 401K.
• As in-person work is sometimes required, all employees at CEDProject.org are expected to maintain current vaccination status in keeping with CDC recommendations.