Housing Options Officer

Overview

Role within a London local authority to deliver housing options support for households homeless or at risk. You will conduct homelessness assessments, determine eligibility, and develop personalised housing plans. You will liaise with landlords and services, signpost to support, and ensure timely case progression. You will handle complex cases with a focus on preventing homelessness and delivering a high-quality, customer-focused service.

Responsibilities

• Conduct homelessness assessments and determine eligibility under the Housing Act 1996
• Provide comprehensive housing advice and guidance to applicants who are homeless or threatened with homelessness
• Develop and review Personalised Housing Plans in line with statutory duties
• Assess applications under the prevention and relief duties and make appropriate decisions
• Investigate homelessness cases and gather relevant evidence to support decisions
• Work with applicants to identify suitable accommodation and prevent homelessness wherever possible
• Liaise with landlords, housing associations, private sector providers and internal council teams
• Make referrals and signpost applicants to appropriate support services
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure cases are progressed within statutory timescales
• Handle complex and challenging cases while delivering a high-quality customer-focused service

Key requirements

• Previous experience working as a Housing Options Officer or within a homelessness service
• Strong knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
• Experience conducting homelessness assessments and making statutory decisions
• Knowledge of prevention and relief duties, PHPs and temporary accommodation
• Excellent communication, organisational and case management skills

• Excellent communication
• Organisational skills
• Customer-focused service
• Case management skills
• Knowledge of Housing Act 1996
• Knowledge of Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

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