Housing Needs Officer

Our local authority client based in West London are urgently seeking an experienced Housing Needs Officer.

*£26.50 an hour Umbrella*

*at least 2 days per week in the office but that would be after induction and training, so probably after 3-4 weeks*

Accountabilities

• Deliver a comprehensive, customer focussed and high quality Housing Needs service, liaising with other sections, departments and agencies internally and externally in relation to housing or homelessness issues on behalf of home seekers
• Working proactively using initiative and knowledge to apply appropriate options to tackle housing need ensuring that the council’s resources, including financial resources, are appropriately used according to the needs of the home seeker, enabling them to achieve sustainable and affordable solutions to their Housing Needs.
• Provide good quality advice to all, including, public, tenants, licensees, landlords etc, regarding their legal rights and available options related to their housing using a holistic approach. This will include analysing complex information and relaying this information appropriately to the customer, including legal advice on housing, immigration and benefit legislation.
• Identify and respond proactively to every customer who may be at risk of homelessness and find the most effective means to prevent and tackle homelessness, fulfilling the Council’s duties under housing, homelessness, and any other relevant legislation.

Knowledge -

• Knowledge of current housing law, immigration and related legislation, case law, policies and good practice. Including Protection from Eviction Act 1977, relevant Housing Acts and Homelessness Acts.
• Knowledge and good conceptual understanding of issues affecting the private rented sector e.g. overcrowding, different tenure types etc; and the legislation which determines these standards.
• Good understanding of how to apply housing benefits procedures, welfare benefits and debt counselling in an advisory capacity.

Experience -

• Experience of working in Housing Advice, Homelessness or Tenancy Relations role.
• Experience of providing services to a diverse client group, managing difficult and vulnerable customers professionally and effectively, within the context of a front line customer focused service.
• Experience of working in confidential situations with an understanding of when & how to share sensitive information with customers and relevant agencies.
• Experience of homelessness and Housing Advice casework, file management and accurate recording of information.

Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.