Housing Options Officer

Wollborg Michelson Personnel Service Inc; Lichfield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Lichfield District Council is seeking a permanent Housing Options Officer to deliver a customer-focused housing options service. The role focuses on preventing homelessness and helping applicants access suitable housing across public and private sectors.

The post requires detailed knowledge of homelessness and housing legislation, including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, and strong interpersonal and advocacy skills to work with applicants and partner organisations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of homelessness legislation (Housing Act, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Ability to advocate and negotiate with applicants, partners and agencies.

Responsibilities

• Provide a professional housing options service to those approaching the council.
• Prevent homelessness wherever possible by offering guidance to maintain or access housing.
• Liaise with applicants, statutory organisations, advocates and third sector providers to secure sustainable housing solutions.
• Identify housing options in public or private sectors and support vulnerable customers.

Skills

Homelessness legislation knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Advocacy

Active listening

Stakeholder liaison

Job description

Lichfield District Council,

A vacancy has arisen for a permanent Housing Options Officer. As part of the Housing Options team, you will provide a professional, effective and efficient customer focused housing options service to those people approaching the council for housing advice. We look at all housing options available and prevent homelessness wherever possible, either by providing support to help people keep their current home or in accessing a new home in the public or private housing sector.

The position is fundamental to the provision of services to vulnerable people who may approach the council for assistance with housing. It is is a specialist role that will be at the forefront of the prevention of homelessness following the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

As a professional role, it is essential that you can demonstrate possessing a detailed knowledge of relevant homelessness and housing legislation including security of tenure and private tenants’ rights as covered by the 1996 Housing Act, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014. You should have excellent interpersonal skills including active listening, advocacy and a win-win approach with all stakeholders. You should also be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of relevant case law, codes of guidance, benefits and available support to applicants experiencing housing problems. The post holder will be required to liaise with applicants, statutory organisations, advocates and third sector providers to arrive at a sustainable housing solution for applicants with complex and multiple needs, for example mental health combined with drug and/or alcohol addiction.

At Lichfield District Council we are committed to creating a positive environment and culture that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religious or spiritual belief, those with caring responsibilities. All applicants are selected based on experience, knowledge and skills which are identified in the person specification. If you need any support with completing your application, or any part of the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] so that we can discuss reasonable adjustments.

We reserve the right to carry out a DBS (DBS Scotland) with relevant checks dependant on the requirements of the role within the Council and in line with relevant legislation after your appointment.