Organizational Overview:
Founded in 1973, RHLS engages in legal advocacy focused primarily on affordable housing and community development in Pennsylvania. Key issue areas include low-income housing development, government policy around housing issues (including affordability, racial equity, and the intersection of housing and health), and continuity of residential utility service for low-income households. RHLS has a full time staff of 21 and a budget of approximately $4.2 million per year.
The Housing Development Legal Services team assists approximately 60 community-based organizations each year and provides counseling and legal representation to organizational clients on a range of affordable residential projects, including the utilization of financing through HUD and the Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). The team also engages in other projects to support the expansion of affordable housing and equitable community economic development in Pennsylvania.
Position Overview:
There is a crisis-level shortage of affordable housing for low-income residents of Pennsylvania. RHLS seeks attorneys for our Housing Development Legal Services Team who are excited by the opportunity to address the problem and to support access to quality affordable housing in all communities.
We welcome applications both from attorneys with experience in transactional work, and attorneys who would be new to the practice, but who are self-starting, team-oriented and excited by our mission. The positions will focus on exciting development projects across the state and provide an opportunity to engage in significant policy and advocacy efforts. The statewide team focused on housing development transactions currently includes 5 attorneys, who provide legal counsel and representation to nonprofit organizations engaging in affordable housing and community development activities.
We are seeking to add to our existing legal staff to support our work, and to increase our reach to serve the client community. These positions are an exciting opportunity for any attorney who has or can learn strong transactional legal skills (including drafting and negotiation) who wants to help nonprofit partners create safe, affordable housing and strong communities.