Housing Solutions Officer

Job Opportunity: Housing Solutions Officer (Temporary)

Position: Housing Solutions Officer
Contract: Temporary, ASAP - 3 Month Contract
Possibility of Extension: Yes, based on project/budget
Pay Rate: 21.71 per hour (PAYE)
Working Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 08:45 - 17:00
Location: IG1 1NY

Job Purpose:

• To reduce homelessness by employing a range of behaviours aimed at building trusting and productive relationships with customers that enable officers to persuade, influence and support them to make positive choices and fully engage with realistic housing options to prevent and relieve homelessness.
• To provide an effective, professional service which includes offering customers in housing need a full range of advice and interventions related to their housing options in the private and public sector to ensure a comprehensive service to prevent homelessness.
• To provide an effective, professional homelessness service including the assessment and investigation of homeless approaches and applications in line with the Council's statutory duties under the Housing Act 1996 Part 7 and relevant case law.
• To work with customers to develop, update and review Personalised Housing Plans for customers on behalf of the council in light of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. Working with customers to implement these plans to ensure that homelessness is prevented or relieved through active interventions and the pursuit of effective housing options.
• To play an integral role in the reduction of expenditure on temporary accommodation by ensuring decisions are made, taking into account the direct as well as wider cost implications for the Council.
• To take responsibility for the recording of high-quality, key data on homelessness for submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government ensuring key trends on homelessness, the causes and solutions are available for analysis locally and to the Government to measure the impact of homelessness nationally
• Where possible, use influencing and problem-solving skills to negotiate with householders, landlords and accommodation providers to ensure the accommodation remains open to those threatened with homelessness for the maximum period so that effective housing options casework can be undertaken.
• Where possible, use influencing and problem-solving skills to negotiate the withdrawal of the threat of homelessness and extension of the right to occupy so that homelessness is averted.
• To develop a range of effective housing solutions for customers through the use of creative thinking and via the building of relationships with accommodation providers

Qualifications and Experience:

• A good knowledge of all homelessness legislation
• Previous experience in a housing officer-related field is essential.
• Understanding of housing laws, regulations, and policies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to challenges.
• Proficiency in using housing management software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Relevant qualifications in housing or a related discipline are a plus.

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