Housing Solutions Officer

Working on behalf of a Local Authority, Aatom Recruitment has an opportunity for a Housing Solutions Officer on a 3 month contract with a possibility of an extension.

This position will be a total of 37 hours per week, with hours from 09:00am – 17:30pm.

Job Purpose:

• To understand the challenges and complexities around homelessness today, the impact that homelessness has on families and single people, and have a commitment to addressing housing issues and reducing homelessness.
• To be responsible for the effective delivery of the Council’s statutory investigation and assessment process for households who approach the Council in housing need in accordance with the Homeless Reduction Act 2017. This will involve a statutory assessment of their circumstances and providing the appropriate housing solution.
• To deliver services which effectively prevent rough sleeping and support vulnerable people away from the street and into safe accommodation.
• To manage and support more complex, sensitive or high risk cases such as those fleeing violence, mental health and high risk offender by arranging case conferences with the relevant agencies.
• To ensure decisions are made in accordance with legislation, case law and local policies.

Job Specific Accountabilities:

• To interview all applicants who approach the Council in housing need and complete enquiries under the Housing Reduction Act 2017 to determine whether a statutory duty is owed to the applicant and provide the appropriate assistance.
• To work with key partners and stakeholders to address the factors which contribute to individuals being at risk of rough sleeping and develop and deliver services which effectively prevent rough sleeping and support vulnerable people away from the street and into safe accommodation.
• To handle more complex cases, including providing support in judicial review cases or in response to other legal challenges, and specialise and take the lead in either eligibility, intentionally homeless or high risk cases.
• To effectively represent the Housing Solutions service on multi-agency groups and forums in relation to specific cases, such as MARAC, Child Protection issues and DV reviews.
• To ensure that suitable temporary and settled housing solutions are delivered to service users generally, including those with complex housing needs.
• To provide the Housing Solutions Service from different locations throughout the borough, including working on a rota basis at the regular housing advice surgery where the need is identified.
• To provide the service from different locations throughout the borough, including working on a roster basis at the regular housing advice surgery where the need is required.
• Refer vulnerable tenants to external partners and floating support to meet their longer term support needs and signpost those tenants who are no longer able to live independently to other agencies or different housing solutions.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Proven ability to work with several software applications in conjunction, and proficiency in Microsoft and database use.
• Ability to understand, assess and apply complex Legislation, case law and policy changes to a range of circumstances.
• Have excellent working knowledge of Homelessness & Housing law including the protection from Eviction Act 1977, Housing Act 1996, and 1988, and the HMO licensing regime under the Housing Act 2004.
• Demonstrate a good working knowledge of Landlord and Tenant Law particularly in relation to Assured Shorthold Tenancies including landlords repairing obligations and grounds for possession.
• Experience of effective multi-disciplinary working.
• Experience of working with other agencies.
• Previous experience of front line customer service.

To get more information about this role and how to apply please contact Simon 07495689272

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