Housing Officer - Rough Sleeping Initiative

Dorset Council UK; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Specialist Housing Officer to make a significant impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals. This rewarding role involves managing accommodation for former rough sleepers, ensuring properties are maintained to high standards, and fostering strong relationships with support services. If you have a passion for preventing homelessness and possess strong tenancy and property management skills, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in your community. Join a dynamic team and help shape policies that support those in need.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing management or homelessness services preferred.
• Commitment to learning and supporting vulnerable individuals.

Responsibilities

• Manage tenancy and license agreements for rough sleeper accommodation.
• Ensure properties are safe and compliant to high standards.
• Support tenancy sustainment and promote independent living skills.

Skills

Tenancy Management

Property Management

Customer Service

Relationship Building

Empathy

Flexibility

Job description

Are you passionate about making a real difference to people’s lives?

We’re looking for a committed Specialist Housing Officer to manage dedicated accommodation for former rough sleepers, supporting individuals with complex needs to sustain safe and secure housing.

In this rewarding role, you’ll be responsible for tenancy and property management across our specialist Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) units. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Housing Options, Housing Register and Lettings, Housing Strategy, Adult and Children’s Social Care, and a range of support providers to help vulnerable clients rebuild their lives and move forward towards long-term housing solutions.

If you're practical, empathetic, and ready to make a difference every day, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

1. Managing tenancy and licence agreements for rough sleeper accommodation
2. Ensuring properties are safe, compliant, and maintained to a high standard
3. Supporting tenancy sustainment and promoting independent living skills
4. Liaising closely with support services, social care teams, and partner agencies to wrap support around residents
5. Managing tenancy breaches, safeguarding concerns, and property-related risks appropriately
6. Facilitating timely move-ins and move-ons, working with Housing Options and the Rough Sleeper Project Group
7. Contributing to service improvement by helping shape policies, procedures, and system processes

What We’re Looking For

• A passion for supporting vulnerable individuals and preventing homelessness
• Good tenancy management, property management, and customer service skills
• The ability to build positive working relationships across a wide range of partners
• A flexible, practical, and resilient approach to working in a dynamic environment
• Access to a vehicle and a full UK driving licence (essential for this role)

Experience in housing management, homelessness services, or working with rough sleepers would be helpful, but if you have the right attitude, empathy, and a commitment to learning, we will support you to build the skills needed.