Housing Options Officer

Venn Group; Royal Leamington Spa; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Venn Group is seeking experienced Housing Options Officers to join a local authority housing team in the West Midlands on a temporary contract. The role will focus on homelessness prevention, housing advice, allocations, and temporary accommodation.

You will assess homelessness applications, manage caseloads, and make statutory homelessness decisions in line with Housing Act 1996 Part VII. Strong communication and case management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in Housing Options, Homelessness, or Housing Needs teams.
• Strong knowledge of Housing Act 1996 Part VII and homelessness legislation.
• Experience managing homelessness caseloads and making statutory decisions.
• Knowledge of housing allocations, housing registers, and temporary accommodation.
• Excellent communication, interviewing, and case management skills.
• Experience in local authority or social housing environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assess homelessness applications and investigations under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Manage a caseload of applicants, making statutory homelessness decisions and developing Personal Housing Plans.
• Prevent and relieve homelessness through housing advice, guidance, and practical assistance.
• Conduct interviews and home visits to assess housing needs and support applicants.
• Process housing register applications and assess eligibility and housing need.
• Advertise available properties, manage allocations, and provide nominations to Registered Providers.
• Arrange and manage temporary accommodation placements, addressing arrears and tenancy issues.
• Liaise with internal departments and external agencies including social care and health services.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with housing legislation and policies.
• Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to team performance targets.
• Experience in Housing Options, Homelessness, or Housing Needs teams.

Skills

Homelessness prevention

Housing advice

Allocations

Temporary accommodation

Case management

Interviewing

Communication

Job description

West Midlands | Temporary Contract | Full-Time

We are currently recruiting for a number of experienced Housing Options Officers to join a local authority housing team in the West Midlands on a temporary contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for housing professionals with experience in homelessness prevention, housing advice, allocations, and temporary accommodation.

Key Responsibilities

Assess homelessness applications and undertake investigations in line with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.

Manage a caseload of applicants, making statutory homelessness decisions and developing Personal Housing Plans.

Prevent and relieve homelessness through the provision of housing advice, guidance, and practical assistance.

Conduct interviews and home visits where appropriate to assess housing needs and support applicants.

Process housing register applications and assess eligibility and housing need.

Advertise available properties, manage allocations, and provide nominations to Registered Providers.

Arrange and manage temporary accommodation placements, taking appropriate action regarding arrears, anti-social behaviour, and tenancy-related issues.

Liaise with internal departments and external agencies including social care, health services, support providers, and voluntary organisations.

Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with relevant housing legislation, policies, and procedures.

Support service improvement initiatives and contribute towards meeting team performance targets.

Previous experience working within a Housing Options, Homelessness, or Housing Needs team.

Strong knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and homelessness legislation Experience managing homelessness caseloads and making statutory decisions

Knowledge of housing allocations, housing registers, and temporary accommodation

Excellent communication, interviewing, and case management skills.

Experience working within a local authority or social housing environment is highly desirable