Homelessness Prevention Officer

Marks Consulting Partners Limited; Crawley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment consultancy is seeking a Homelessness Prevention Officer based in Crawley. The role involves preventing homelessness, assessing client needs, and working with landlords. Ideal candidates will have at least three years of experience in homelessness prevention and must possess a driver's license. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to community welfare and housing solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience as a Homeless Prevention Officer.
• Drivers license and own a car.

Responsibilities

• Prevent homelessness by providing timely advice and solutions.
• Assess housing needs and provide tailored assistance.
• Develop relationships with private landlords for housing options.
• Investigate allegations of harassment or illegal eviction.

Skills

Experience in homelessness prevention

Knowledge of housing legislation

Mediation skills

Job description

Overview

Marks Consulting Partners are currently looking for a Homelessness Prevention Officer to work with one of our Local Authority clients in Sussex.

What the job will be doing

• Seek to prevent homelessness arising wherever possible by working with people at risk of becoming homeless, ensuring that timely advice and assistance is provided on a range of complex issues, using innovative and cost effective solutions to support a preventative approach to homelessness. Thereby minimising the impact to the client and the Council.
• Receive applications for assistance from persons who may be threatened with homelessness, taking all action required or appropriate in accordance with the homelessness legislation. This will include making decisions in consultation with senior Housing Needs staff regarding the Council's prevention duties to such applicants under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Assess the client's housing needs and identify problems causing potential homelessness and provide tailored solutions, advice and assistance to enable them to sustain their existing accommodation or achieve a planned move to alternative accommodation whilst managing their expectations around the solutions available.
• Carry out home visits where appropriate in an attempt to mediate between households who are at risk of homelessness.
• In liaison with the Private Tenancy Negotiation and Sustainment Officer, develop links and positive working relationships with private landlords and letting agents to ensure a supply of private rented homes is available to clients and to enable the Council to discharge its full homelessness duty into suitable private lettings where possible.
• Assist the Housing Options Officers to investigate and take all appropriate action in relation to allegations of harassment or illegal eviction in accordance with the Protection of Eviction Act 1977, liaising as necessary with tenants, landlords, the Council's legal staff, solicitors and the Police.
• Acquire and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of housing options available, including the private rented market and home ownership and all forms of assistance available to resolve or prevent housing problems, at all times considering creative solutions to a client\'s individual needs.

What you will need

• Minimum 3 years experience as a Homeless Prevention Officer
• Drivers license and own a car

How to Apply

If you would like any further details about this position, please contact Joshua Bourne at Marks Consulting Partners.

If this job is not quite right for you but you are looking for something new, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

About Marks Consulting Partners

Marks Consulting Partners specialise in contract and permanent recruitment of technical property, regeneration & development, housing services and HR staff to the public sector including housing associations, local authorities, and related private sector organisations. We do not advertise all our vacancies so please give us a call and register with us to be notified of all suitable roles