Housing Options Officer

Job Title: Housing Options Officer

Location: North Northamptonshire Council (Hybrid)

Rate of Pay: 20 Umbrella P/H

Hours per Week: 37 hours

We are currently looking for an experienced Housing Options Officer to join North Northamptonshire Council as part of their Housing team. The successful candidate will play a key role in triaging and managing cases to reduce backlogs, improve application processing times, and deliver high-quality housing solutions to individual's in need.

Main Duties:

• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, managing a varied and complex caseload while meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards of service delivery.
• Lead the triage function, prioritising and processing homeless applications efficiently to minimise waiting times and facilitate prompt resolution.
• Draft clear, concise, and legally-compliant decision letters, ensuring clients are fully informed of their rights, options, and the outcomes of their cases.
• Work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, housing providers, and support agencies, to secure appropriate housing solutions for clients.
• Manage a diverse caseload of housing cases, making informed decisions on homelessness applications, including triage and casework, to ensure timely assessments and reduce backlogs.
• Offer expert advice and guidance on housing options, including homelessness, to clients, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks, particularly Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.

The Candidate Will Have:

• A candidate with a strong understanding of Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, specifically in relation to homelessness law and housing allocations. They should be able to apply this knowledge to make informed, legally-compliant decisions regarding homelessness cases.
• Proven experience in providing housing advice, including assessing homelessness applications, providing options, and navigating complex cases. This would involve working with vulnerable clients, assessing their housing needs, and offering appropriate solutions in line with legal requirements.
• The candidate should have experience negotiating with a range of stakeholders (e.g., local authorities, housing providers, third-party agencies) to secure housing outcomes for clients. They should be comfortable advocating on behalf of clients while maintaining professional relationships with other agencies.
• The ideal candidate will possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in drafting statutory decision letters. They must be able to articulate complex housing issues clearly and concisely, ensuring clients understand their options and legal rights.
• Practical experience in the triage process for homelessness applications, including conducting initial assessments, identifying urgent cases, and allocating resources effectively.

For more information, please contact Olivia at (phone number removed) or email