Housing Options Officer

Housing Options Officer

Salary from £30,792 to £34,137 pa depending on skills and experience (pay award pending) Plus lease car cash alternative of £2,080 pa

Fixed Term Contract for up to one yearAre you experienced in providing sound housing advice and Housing Options in order to empower tenants to prevent homelessness?

Our Housing Options Team play a pivotal role by advising individuals and families who are either at risk of losing their homes or already homeless.

We are looking for strong communicators with knowledge of the relevant legislation as well as the initiative and sensitivity to make sound decisions and keep accurate case notes whilst working in a very busy and demanding environment identifying the Housing Options available for the public in order to prevent homelessness.

Other duties to include:

• Liaison and negotiations with lending institutions, landlords, parents, relatives, friends. Identifying requirements for temporary accommodation placing close attention to the legislation, case law and legal guidance.
• Undertaking formal assessments of each applicants vulnerability and identify any necessary support needs, liaising with health, social services, supporting people providers and voluntary agencies.
• Analysing complex legal and financial information, research and interpret legislation and case law

Part of this role will include liaising with landlords and mortgage lenders, and preparing proposals for Court so you will need to be a strong negotiator along with having:

• Experience in a housing advice or statutory homelessness assessment function
• Ability to demonstrate a sound understanding of the homelessness legislation.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of using and applying relevant case law.
• Ability to write clear and concise letters and files notes.
• Ability to conduct investigative interviewing and relevant investigation work.

You will need to undertake home visits to all applicants presenting as homeless therefore a current clean driving licence is required.

The post holder must maintain at all times a satisfactory report from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Sylvia Roberts

We offer - Hybrid Working - We are an organisation that puts people first and understands how important employee wellbeing is. We want to help you to balance your working life and home life and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way; both at home and in the office. This maximises personal development and collaborative working.

Competitive remuneration package - We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provideWe welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community