Housing Options Advisor

Niyaa People Ltd; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Niyaa People Ltd is recruiting on behalf of a local authority client for an experienced Housing Options Advisor to join the Housing Options and Homeless Services team on an initial 3-month contract. The role focuses on customers at risk of homelessness and involves assessments, tailored housing advice and support for temporary accommodation.

You will travel across the local area, deliver frontline housing services, and work with landlords and partner agencies to identify sustainable solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing options, homelessness, or temporary accommodation.
• Experience in front-line housing or homelessness service.
• Understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and local authority duties.
• Experience with temporary accommodation and void management.
• Ability to work with partner agencies and landlords.

Responsibilities

• Manage homelessness enquiries and undertake housing needs assessments.
• Provide tailored housing advice to prevent homelessness.
• Collaborate with customers, landlords and agencies to identify sustainable housing solutions.
• Support homelessness casework in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Assist with temporary accommodation, including void management and property checks.
• Support move-on arrangements and access to longer-term accommodation.
• Maintain accurate case records and complete relevant documentation.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and escalate appropriately.
• Work with internal and external partners on housing solutions.
• Carry out customer and property visits across the local area.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Case management

Vulnerable customers

Independent decision-making

IT/case management systems

Education

CIH qualification

Tools

Case management software

Job description

We are currently recruiting on behalf of a local authority client for an experienced Housing Options Advisor to join their Housing Options and Homeless Services team on an initial 3-month contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced housing professional who is confident working with customers at risk of homelessness and has experience in housing options, homelessness and temporary accommodation.

The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with a mixture of office-based, home and patch-based/customer-facing work.

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as the role will involve travel across the local area for customer and property-related visits.

The Role:

As a Housing Options Advisor, you will provide high-quality, customer-focused advice and support to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

You will undertake assessments, provide tailored housing advice, explore homelessness prevention options and work proactively with customers, landlords and partner agencies to identify sustainable solutions.

The role also includes supporting the management of temporary accommodation, including void management and property checks, ensuring accommodation is suitable and ready for allocation.

Key Responsibilities of a Housing Options Advisor:

• Manage homelessness enquiries and undertake housing needs assessments.
• Provide tailored housing advice and support to prevent homelessness.
• Work with customers, landlords and partner agencies to identify sustainable housing solutions.
• Support homelessness casework in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Assist with temporary accommodation, including void management, property checks and preparing properties for allocation.
• Support move-on arrangements and access to longer-term accommodation.
• Maintain accurate case records and complete relevant documentation.
• Identify and escape safeguarding concerns where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners.
• Carry out customer and property visits across the local area as required.
• Provide reports and statistical information when required.

About You:

We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience within housing options, homelessness, temporary accommodation or a closely related housing environment.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working in a busy, front-line housing or homelessness service.
• Experience undertaking housing or homelessness assessments.
• A good understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and local authority homelessness duties.
• Practical experience of temporary accommodation, ideally including void management and property readiness.
• An understanding of homelessness prevention, housing options and tenancy-related issues.
• Experience working with vulnerable customers and people experiencing crisis or complex circumstances.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to manage challenging conversations and de-escalate difficult situations professionally.
• Excellent organisational and case management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Strong written skills and the ability to maintain accurate, professional case records.
• The confidence to make informed decisions and work independently.
• Experience working with partner agencies and other professionals.
• Good IT skills and experience using case management systems.
• A professional, empathetic and non-judgemental approach.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.A housing-related qualification such as CIH would be advantageous, but relevant practical experience will also be considered.

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established local authority housing service on an initial 3-month contract, working within a varied role that combines homelessness prevention, customer-facing housing advice and temporary accommodation responsibilities.

The hybrid working arrangement provides a balance of home working, office-based duties and patch-based visits, offering flexibility while retaining a strong customer-facing element.

If you are an experienced Housing Options professional with temporary accommodation and void management experience and are available for a new contract opportunity, we would be keen to hear from you.