Housing Options Officer

Monday - Friday
Temp - Perm position
18-20p/h PAYE
Office based
Must have previous experience with Homeless Prevention/ASB
Immediate Start!

Job Summary

To make every conceivable effort to prevent homelessness where possible through the provision of tailored advice, advocacy, negotiation, mediation and exploration of all suitable options.

To assess complex and vulnerable individuals and families, based on their housing need and make appropriate decisions in accordance with the appropriate legislation (eg Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Children's Act, Care Act and Welfare Befit Reform Act).

The post holder will be required to be innovative, dynamic and solutions focussed to prevent clients from becoming homeless and explore all Housing Options. In addition to this the post holder will contribute to the design and operational practice of the Homelessness Prevention and Advice Service.

Key Tasks and Accountabilities

Key tasks and accountabilities are intended to be a guide to the range and level of work expected of the post holder. This is not an exhaustive list of all tasks that may fall to the post holder and employees will be expected to carry out such other reasonable duties which may be required from time to time.

1. To provide an effective, customer-friendly and efficient service to clients who are often vulnerable and with complex needs who are presenting with housing problems; to support them in keeping their current home, (carrying out home visits where appropriate), or in accessing a new home in the public or private housing sector.

2. To advise clients, either face-to-face, via videolink or over the phone, on full range of Housing Options, in the context of a high demand London local authority. This includes appropriate intervention if threatened with homelessness, assistance to secure private rented accommodation, hostels, supported housing, refuges, etc, and any actions to make accommodation more affordable and accessible. To assist people to move out of London, if desired.

3. To provide a professional and effective Housing Options interview and homelessness investigation service; taking a full application from the service user and issuing Personalised Housing Plans in preventing or relieving homelessness irrespective of the person's priority need or intentionality status.

4. To assess clients' housing requirements in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. A high percentage of people presenting will be vulnerable and it is essential to assess needs accurately and in accordance with all relevant legislation, including Housing Act 1996 (as amended), the Care Act 2014 and the Children's Act 1989 and all relevant housing legislation.

5. To complete the Personalised Housing Plan in conjunction with the client, agreeing all reasonable steps which will be taken by the Council and the person to prevent or relieve their homelessness. To produce this in a timely manner and to keep under review throughout the duration of the Prevention and/or Relief Duty.

6. To collate and analyse initial information and documentation relating to a client's circumstances using available prevention tools and deciding in line with new legislation when to move an application from a prevention or relief stage to the final duty the council may owe the applicant.

7. To assess and administer Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) applications, ensuring that necessary actions are captured as reasonable steps within Personalised Housing Plans, to either sustain an existing tenancy, or secure alternative affordable accommodation. Extension of DHPs incumbent upon engagement with these reasonable steps.

8. To work closely with other professionals, such as Social Workers, Probation Officers and Welfare Benefit Advisers, creating a strong and effective relationship, whilst maintaining the provisions of the full range of housing duties placed on the local authority and as set out in statute and caselaw.

9. To maintain a regular and constructive relationship with the individual or family throughout their homeless application, ensuring that they are engaged in the reasonable steps agreed, and that the postholder completes the reasonable steps agreed on the part of the local authority, all within the designated timescales.

10. To use relevant identity/credit software that enables the service to check and verify the accuracy of a homeless approach or application, and the circumstances affecting the client.