Rehousing & Community Development Officer

London Borough of Newham; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough of Newham is seeking a Rehousing and Community Development Officer to support residents affected by regeneration, decants, under-occupation initiatives and sheltered housing moves. This frontline, resident-facing role guides tenants through rehousing and allocations and coordinates with internal teams and partners.

You will conduct home visits, assess housing needs, advise on options, assist with decants, and engage with residents to improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Experience working directly with residents or customers.
• Ability to manage sensitive conversations and build trust.
• Understanding of social housing and tenancy types.
• Knowledge of housing legislation and best practice.
• Experience assessing needs and making recommendations.
• Strong organisational and case management skills.
• Ability to work independently and conduct home visits.

Responsibilities

• Conduct home visits to council tenants.
• Assess housing needs and rehousing eligibility.
• Advise residents on regeneration plans and housing options.
• Support residents through the allocations process.
• Identify suitable properties and conduct accompanied viewings.
• Assist with temporary and permanent decants for regeneration and major works projects.
• Carry out sheltered housing assessments.
• Engage with under-occupying tenants regarding downsizing opportunities.
• Provide rehousing advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support community engagement and resident events.

Skills

Excellent communication

People skills

Resident engagement

Sensitive conversations

Social housing understanding

Housing legislation knowledge

Needs assessment

Case management

Independent working

Home visiting

Job description

Rehousing and Community Development Officer

£42,492 - £45,123

Main Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate will support residents affected by regeneration schemes, decant programmes, under-occupation initiatives, and sheltered housing moves. The role is highly resident-facing and involves helping tenants navigate the rehousing and allocations process.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct home visits to council tenants.
• Assess housing needs and rehousing eligibility.
• Advise residents on regeneration plans and housing options.
• Support residents through the allocations process.
• Identify suitable properties and conduct accompanied viewings.
• Assist with temporary and permanent decants for regeneration and major works projects.
• Carry out sheltered housing assessments.
• Engage with under-occupying tenants regarding downsizing opportunities.
• Provide rehousing advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support community engagement and resident events.

Essential Skills and Experience

The advert suggests they are looking for someone with:

• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Experience working directly with residents or customers.
• Ability to manage sensitive conversations and build trust.
• Understanding of social housing and tenancy types.
• Knowledge of housing legislation and best practice.
• Experience assessing needs and making recommendations.
• Strong organisational and case management skills.
• Ability to work independently and conduct home visits.

Desirable Knowledge

Advantageous but not essential:

• Knowledge of London Borough of Newham housing stock.
• Understanding of Newham's allocations scheme.
• Experience of decant processes.
• Knowledge of regeneration projects.
• Experience of resident consultation and engagement.
• Familiarity with under-occupation initiatives and sheltered housing.

Suitability for Your Background

As a Rehousing and Community Development Officer, your strongest transferable skills are likely to be:

• Working within housing services and local government.
• Understanding policies, procedures, and legislation.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Case management and problem solving.
• Data analysis and decision making.
• Supporting service improvements and resident outcomes.
• Experience dealing with sensitive resident issues.

The biggest area to emphasise in an application would be any direct experience you have with:

• Tenancy matters.
• Resident engagement.
• Complaints or customer service.
• Housing allocations.
• Decants, temporary accommodation, or rehousing.
• Working with vulnerable resident

Closing date: the 28th September 2026

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.