Housing Options Officer

We are currently looking for an experienced Housing Options Officer to join a busy homelessness prevention service. This Housing Options Officer role will focus on preventing homelessness, assessing housing needs and supporting customers to access sustainable housing solutions through a range of housing options.

The successful candidate will manage a caseload of customers, carry out housing options assessments and work with internal and external partners to prevent homelessness wherever possible. The Housing Options Officer position is a fully office-based role, requiring attendance Monday to Friday, and would suit someone with previous experience within homelessness prevention, housing options or housing advice services.

• Conducting housing options interviews and housing needs assessments.
• Providing housing advice and homelessness prevention assistance to customers.
• Negotiating with landlords, family members and accommodation providers to prevent homelessness.
• Completing home visits and supporting customers to remain in their existing accommodation where possible.
• Assessing eligibility, homelessness and priority need in accordance with housing legislation.
• Completing enquiries and preparing Section 184 decision letters.
• Developing Personalised Housing Plans and supporting customers to achieve agreed outcomes.
• Acting as lead officer under a No Wrong Door approach, identifying wider support needs and making referrals to partner agencies.
• Supporting customers with access to private rented accommodation, supported housing and other housing options.
• Providing basic budgeting, debt and welfare advice and liaising with partner agencies where required.
• Working closely with Children's Services, Probation, Health Services, Social Services and voluntary sector partners.

• Previous experience working as a Housing Options Officer, Homeless Prevention Officer or Housing Adviser.
• Experience delivering homelessness prevention and housing advice services.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and associated housing legislation.
• Experience carrying out housing needs assessments and developing Personalised Housing Plans.
• Experience completing homelessness enquiries and preparing Section 184 decision letters.
• Experience negotiating with landlords and accommodation providers to prevent homelessness.
• Experience managing a homelessness prevention caseload.