Homelessness Prevention Officer

Wokingham Borough Council; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom seeks a committed Homelessness Prevention Officer to provide expert housing advice to individuals at risk of homelessness. This role involves developing personalized housing plans and ensuring compliance with the Housing Act. The ideal candidate has a background in homelessness prevention and a commitment to high-quality customer care. Join a passionate team dedicated to reducing homelessness across the borough.

Qualifications

• Strong background in homelessness prevention and housing services.
• In-depth knowledge of the Housing Act and relevant legislation.
• Experience in conducting housing assessments.
• Ability to manage complex cases.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality customer care.

Responsibilities

• Provide housing advice to individuals and families at risk of homelessness.
• Conduct assessments and develop personalized housing plans.
• Investigate statutory duties owed to homeless applicants.
• Conduct financial assessments to determine affordability.
• Support applicants in accessing private rented sector housing.

Skills

Background in homelessness prevention

Knowledge of Housing Act (section 184)

Experience in conducting housing assessments

Ability to manage complex cases

Commitment to customer care

Job description

Wokingham Borough Council is dedicated to preventing homelessness and ensuring that all residents have access to safe, secure housing. Our Homelessness Prevention Team play a crucial role in delivering these services by providing comprehensive support to individuals and families at risk of losing their homes. We are now seeking a passionate and dedicated Homelessness Prevention Officer to join our team and contribute to our mission of reducing homelessness across the borough.

The Role

As a Homelessness Prevention Officer, you will be responsible for providing expert housing advice and support to a diverse range of applicants, including families and single individuals, who are at risk of homelessness. You will work to prevent homelessness by developing personalised housing plans and ensuring compliance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Your main responsibilities will include :

• Providing timely and detailed housing advice and assistance to individuals and families presenting as homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days.
• Conducting thorough assessments of those at risk of homelessness, implicating practical measures to prevent and relieve homelessness in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act.
• Developing detailed, personalised housing plans that address the specific needs and circumstances of each applicant.
• Investigating statutory duties owed to homeless applicants, issuing relevant notification decisions under Section 184 of the Housing Act.
• Conducting financial assessments to determine affordability and identify barriers to securing housing for homeless households.
• Supporting applicants in accessing private rented sector housing.

About You

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate individual who is committed to preventing homelessness. The ideal candidate will have :

• A strong background in homelessness prevention and housing services.
• In-depth knowledge of the Housing Act, particularly section 184, and other relevant legislation.
• Experience in conducting thorough housing assessments and developing personalised housing plans.
• The ability to manage complex cases.
• A commitment to delivering high-quality customer care and treating all applicants with fairness and respect.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to join an excellent and dynamic team.