Role: Housing Options Officer
Location: PE15 8NQ
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 3+ months
Working Hours: Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 17:00 (37 hours per week)
Pay Rate: £27.81 per hour

Job Purpose:

To provide front-line advice regarding housing options to clients, with a focus on prevention. The role involves negotiating with private sector landlords to offer housing solutions that help prevent homelessness. Solutions may include financial assistance such as deposits, mediation between landlords and tenants, or between parents and children. You will also negotiate with housing associations and private sector landlords to prevent evictions due to rent arrears or anti-social behaviour and seek new housing opportunities for our customers.

Responsibilities:

• Provide housing advice and assistance to prevent homelessness through various communication methods (telephone, written, in-person) in alignment with the new Homelessness Reduction Act. Utilise negotiation and creative problem-solving skills to resolve homelessness cases.
• Conduct interviews with clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002, and the Homelessness Reduction Act. Recommend appropriate decisions to the Housing Options Team Leader.
• Carry out thorough investigations and assessments of homelessness applications for assistance under homelessness legislation.
• Liaise and negotiate with landlords, registered providers, Citizens Advice Bureau, local authorities, police, doctors, community psychiatric nurses, and other relevant parties via telephone, in writing, or in person.

Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in a local authority or housing association housing options team.
• Ability to explain housing legislation clearly and concisely to meet the needs of clients.
• Strong administrative skills, including maintaining accurate and confidential records and compiling clear reports on homelessness cases.
• Effective interpersonal skills to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a diverse range of people, including homeless individuals, landlords, and healthcare professionals.

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