Housing Officer, Social Work

Role: Housing Officer
Location: Brighton, East Sussex
Hours: Full-time
Pay: 28,000 per annum

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Housing Officer to join one of our longstanding clients, an established organisation providing housing and tenancy support, based in Brighton.

This is a varied position responsible for managing a designated group of tenants, ensuring Housing Benefit claims are processed efficiently, monitoring rent accounts and helping to prevent arrears. You will provide proactive tenancy support, resolve benefit-related issues and work closely with internal teams and external agencies to achieve positive outcomes for residents.

Benefits

• 28,000 per annum
• Varied and rewarding tenant-focused role
• Opportunity to make a positive difference to residents and help sustain tenancies
• Collaborative working environment
• On-the-job development across housing, benefits and tenancy management

The Requirements

• Strong administrative and organisational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, particularly over the telephone
• Knowledge of Housing Benefit processes and tenancy sustainment
• Experience using Rubixx or a similar housing management system
• Confident handling sensitive situations with empathy, discretion and professionalism
• Ability to work independently, manage your own workload and use initiative
• Strong team-working skills with the ability to collaborate towards service objectives
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and digital systems
• Understanding of housing legislation and safeguarding
• Strong attention to detail and accurate record-keeping skills

The Role

• Provide telephone and email support to tenants regarding rent, benefits and tenancy matters
• Offer clear guidance and signpost tenants to appropriate services
• Initiate and progress Housing Benefit applications following new tenant sign-ups
• Proactively contact tenants to obtain outstanding information and supporting documentation
• Submit and monitor Housing Benefit applications, ensuring deadlines are met
• Liaise with local authorities to resolve Housing Benefit queries and delays
• Monitor rent accounts and identify tenants at risk of falling into arrears
• Proactively contact tenants regarding arrears and agree appropriate repayment solutions
• Set up payment plans and provide advice around debt prevention
• Work with finance and legal teams to resolve more complex arrears cases
• Maintain oversight of a designated group of tenants and work closely with colleagues to ensure effective follow-up and support
• Maintain accurate tenancy and compliance records, including relevant safety trackers
• Produce regular and ad hoc reports covering rent, arrears, Housing Benefit and tenancy activity
• Monitor and respond to housing-related enquiries
• Process and track invoices, obtaining relevant approvals and maintaining accurate records
• Participate in management meetings and provide updates and insight on rent arrears
• Maintain accurate records using housing management and reporting systems

The role also requires participation in an on-call rota.
If you're keen to join an organisation where you can play an important role in supporting residents, sustaining tenancies and delivering a high-quality housing service, then please apply to this Housing Officer role below or call Jamie Watson on (phone number removed) between 9:00am - 5:30pm.