The mission of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance is to lead the movement by changing public policy so that people in Washington of all races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, and identities can live in safe, healthy homes they can afford. We do this through educating decision-makers, organizing, and amplifying the voices and priorities of people and communities most impacted by housing instability and homelessness. Our vision is an equitable and racially just Washington where every one of us lives in a healthy, affordable home in a thriving community of our choice.

We are a statewide member organization with 140 organizational members, and over 15,000 individuals in our action network. We develop an annual state legislative agenda and work in the state capitol and in communities across Washington to pass that agenda. Our priority areas include affordable housing funding, tenants rights, and homelessness services. We use a racial justice and equity analysis throughout our work.

Intern will work with the Director of Equity, Racial Justice and Culture and as a member of our Advocacy Team which includes policy, movement building and community organizing. This is a macro placement with mezzo and some micro activities. We advocate alongside, and build power with people who have been impacted by systems. Please see learning experiences for further details.

We use trauma informed care, a racial justice lens and a cultural awareness of the intersections of identities each person who has experienced housing instability and/or homelessness holds, particularly as it relates to storytelling and advocacy to change policy. Our Resident Action Project members consist mainly of people with lived experience of housing instability, homelessness and housing injustice. https://www.wliha.org/advocacy/resident-action-project

You will learn about and support internal and membership race equity and culture work, including supporting trainings to staff. Advocacy, mobilization, and organizing for affordable housing and services to prevent and end homelessness: -Supporting the Resident Action Project (RAP), a statewide coalition of leaders with direct experience of housing instability and homelessness engaging in community organizing and statewide policy advocacy; -Participating in organizational and team meetings; -Supporting events and gatherings of advocates, organizational members, and/or board members; and -Potentially shadowing and/or providing support for member organization engagement, advocacy training, and lawmaker lobbying as needed.

Culture and systems change work within many levels. Advocacy, mobilization, and organizing for affordable housing and services to prevent and end homelessness: -Providing key assistance for our annual Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day, specifically outreach and follow-up with Legislative District lead volunteers, and possibly scheduling lawmaker meetings for event; -Engaging in mobilization tactics like generating phone calls and emails to the state legislature, preparing advocates for testimony or lawmaker meetings; -Tracking key statewide legislation focused on racial equity to increase access to affordable housing and services to prevent and end homelessness.

None.

Having worked with people who have been impacted by systems is helpful, but not required. If you have lived experience of being impacted by systems of oppression, including racial and class discrimination, and/or your race/ethnicity being historically excluded from fair policy, please know that your experience is valued and can help foster deeper systems change with us, or wherever you choose to intern. Lived experience is also not required.

No requirement, however, we have had Spanish and Vietnamese language as well as ASL interpretation at our events. We organize with some communities whose first language is not English. We are working toward language justice and would appreciate multi-lingual applicants if available.

Email Ma.Caroline Lopez: macarolinel@wliha.org