About the Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP)
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 that operates a continuum of care model focused on stopping eviction and displacement.
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Serving over 1,000 households per month, we bring together housing lawyers, economists, data analysts, policy-experts, organizers, and technologists to provide four services:- Rental Assistance: through our rental assistance program, we leverage public funds to pay back and future rent, reinstate leases, and avert evictions through rental debt settlements.
- Legal Services: For complicated cases with additional legal issues or difficult landlords, CED Law offers eviction defense services, paired with rental assistance dollars, to encourage settlement or stabilize tenancies and represent tenants in court when negotiation does not work.
- Rehousing and Case Management: Where legal services do not work, we provide rehousing support services through ERA funding and agency referrals.
- Policy: More broadly, we go case to cause. We work with our clients to tell their stories and amplify their voices into policy change. For example, in the 2020-2021 legislative session, for example, we drafted and, in coalition with other stakeholders and community organizations, passed the renters’ rights legislation that caps late fees, penalizes abusive landlords, and gives Coloradans access to the warranty of habitability without paying a bond.
Our model has been cited as a best practice by the 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 for those 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 Housing Fellow
Our practice is seeking a Housing Fellow to help us stabilize households in Colorado along this outlined continuum of care. As Matthew Desmond writes, an eviction is not just the consequence of poverty but also the cause. At CEDP we strive to disrupt the cycle of poverty by confronting economic abuse and investing in community wealth. This fight requires agility, adaptability, and the drive to create systemic change.
Therefore, we invite Fellowship applicants to partner with our team of housing attorneys and advocates to craft an innovative project that will support and empower the most vulnerable Coloradans. CEDP plans to submit applications to one or several fellowships, including Equal Justice Works, Skadden Fellowship Foundation, Justice Catalyst, and Gallogly Family Foundation Public Interest Law Fellowship. If selected as a fellow, the position will begin at CED Law in early Fall 2024. CEDP operates with a growth mindset and pushes to challenge the status quo. We welcome ideas for this fellowship application, but there is no need to have a fully formed project proposal before reaching out to us! Big picture, this project could focus on:
- Pairing of rental assistance, legal aid, housing navigation and resource connection through the launch of an eviction mediation or diversion program in connection with county courts
- Clearing / sealing of eviction records
- Briefing, filing, and arguing appeals of unjust county court rulings
- Representing tenants in small claims court on security deposit disputes
- Helping tenants navigate warranty of habitability issues and assert their rights to break a lease or sue the landlord
- Ensuring that tenants have access to urgently needed resources at county courthouses throughout the state
- Expanding education around housing resources and tenants’ rights through development of written materials and user-friendly technology
- Developing innovative strategies and methods to empower tenants
Position Responsibilities
- Communicate with clients in a timely, respectful, and empathetic manner
- Help determine appropriate cases and strategies to effect long-term change
- Represent clients facing eviction proceedings and/or in affirmative litigation in court
- Set and complete case goals identified by, or in partnership with, supervisors and in accordance with fellowship project requirements
- Coordinate across CEDP to ensure timely tracking and reporting of case completions
- Have or develop excellent knowledge of Colorado housing law
- Complete required documentation for both case tracking and also personal management
- Develop and execute a comprehensive project to expand access to legal aid and resources that empowers low-income tenants facing housing instability in Colorado
Position Requirements
- Work with us (the host organization) to develop and submit a fellowship application(s)
- JD earned in 2023 and currently in a clerkship position or JD expected to be earned in 2024
- Demonstrated passion for social and racial justice
- Strong desire to center client and community needs
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Strong organizational abilities
- Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment
- A supportive, client-focused attitude
- Creativity and willingness to think outside of the box
- The desire to work in a collaborative environment centered on social and racial justice and equity
- Ability to travel around the Denver metro area for in-person clinics, hearings, and team meetings
- Knowledge of MS Office suite, client relationship database such as Clio, Google Suite desired
- Other language skills not required but are a strong plus and eligible for additional stipend
Equal Opportunity
CEDP is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary grade is $65,000 per year pre-admission to the Colorado bar and $75,000 post-admission. CEDP will top up any fellowship grant to this amount.
- Benefits include health, dental, unlimited paid vacation, short-term and long-term disability, and 401K.
- As in-person work is sometimes required, all employees at CEDP are expected to maintain current vaccination status in keeping with CDC recommendations.
To Apply
Interested candidates should apply by clicking the button to apply linked on this page. Please submit a resume and cover letter that includes a description of potential ideas or areas of interest for the fellowship project. Applications will be accepted through Monday, July 17, 2023.
