Housing Options Assistant

Bradford Corporation; Bradford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Bradford Council is seeking a Housing Options Assistant to join the Housing Options Team. You will provide housing advice to customers in housing need and act as a frontline contact for public enquiries.

Responsibilities include coordinating access to temporary accommodation, supporting moves, and liaising with providers to secure sustainable outcomes, while upholding legislation and council policy. You will treat clients with empathy in crisis, offer signposting and ensure Housing Related

Responsibilities

• Coordinate access to temporary accommodation and act as single point of contact for emergency providers.
• Monitor and coordinate planned moves for customers in emergency/temporary accommodation (TA), including B&B.
• Assist in re-housing by planning moves to suitable affordable accommodation with providers or in private rented sectors.
• Act as the first point of contact for enquiries by the public, advice sector agencies and professionals.
• Provide a flexible, proficient housing advice service with regard to legislation, government guidance and council policy.
• Treat customers with empathy, sensitivity and professionalism in crisis situations.
• Offer help and advice to clients (in person or over the phone) to assess housing situations and take appropriate action.
• Help prevent homelessness through guidance on under-occupation, affordability, tenure security, harassment and disrepair; negotiate between tenants and landlords.
• Coordinate throughput with commissioned emergency/TA providers and issue warnings and TA duty cessation letters.
• Liaise with agencies to signpost clients and assess eligibility for Housing Related Support.
• Complete the Housing Related Support referral form and refer to appropriate providers.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the aims of the post.

Job description

The following information is furnished to help Council staff and those people considering joining the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council to understand and appreciate the general work content of their post and the role they are to play in the organisation within the Housing Options Team.

We are looking for a Housing Options Assistant to join our dedicated team in the Housing Options Team. The Housing Options Service provides housing advice and homelessness services to customers in housing need. The service is also the gateway to accessing Housing Related Support in the District. The service places great attention to homelessness prevention and the enhancement of housing options to achieving long term sustainable outcomes for vulnerable customers.

The main responsibilities of this role:

• Coordinate access to temporary accommodation, act as a singled point of contact for emergency and temporary accommodation providers and work with all relevant agencies to secure suitable sustainable outcomes for customers


• Closely monitor and coordinate planned moves for customers who reside in emergency and temporary accommodation (TA) including B&B


• Where re-housing is necessary, work with the customer to agree a planned move to suitable and affordable accommodation either with Incommunities, other registered providers or in the private rented sector


• Act as the first point of contact for enquiries by members of the public, advice sector agencies and other professionals


• Provide a flexible, proficient and comprehensive housing advice service to customers in housing need whilst having regard to legislation, government guidance, council policy and sector practice


• Treat customers with empathy, sensitivity and professionalism recognising that they are often approaching the service in crisis


• Offer help and advice to clients (in person or over the phone) who are potentially homeless in line with relevant Housing Legislation and Guidance to assess their housing situation and take the most appropriate action including arranging Housing Options appointments, signposting, advising current and new cases etc.


• Where possible, prevent homelessness by providing housing advice and assistance with regard to under-occupation and affordability, security of tenure, harassment, disrepair and illegal eviction, and by negotiating and mediating between tenants, landlords and accommodation agents etc.


• Act as a single point of contact for all commissioned emergency and temporary accommodation providers and coordinate throughput across the provision including issuing warnings and TA duty cessation letters


• Liaise with statutory and non-statutory agencies regarding housing needs issues, signposting clients and making referrals for a service and assess client’s needs and decide whether the client is entitled to Housing Related Support


• Complete the Housing Related Support referral form and refer to the most appropriate support provider for accommodation based or floating support


• Undertake any other duties which are commensurate with the aims of the post

Employee Offer

Why work for Bradford Council? Find out why by taking a look at Our Employee Offer.pdf

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

The RESPECT Allyship Programme is available to all staff, which offers the opportunity to learn more about the diverse communities & groups and provides added benefits and resources to its members.