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Housing Needs Officer – REMOTE WORKING2023-03-10T11:50:21+00:00
Housing Needs Officer – REMOTE WORKING Job Vacancy in South Croydon, England, UK
Adecco
Role
To provide a comprehensive housing advice /options/ statutory homeless service to those in housing need. A tailored service to address customers underlying causes of homelessness to produce long term solutions which will address their current and any future housing need.
Where solutions cannot be found to prevent homelessness to assess homeless applications in accordance with current homeless legislation within strict legal timelines.
Duties
To carry out thorough , comprehensive, sensitive enquiries , fully involving the customer in the process, treating each case individually and examining all information carefully before reaching a decision
To provide a comprehensive housing information and advice service on rehousing options, occupation rights and obligations, mortgage default and any other causes of homelessness, preventing homelessness whenever possible
Helping the customer to make difficult decisions about their future housing including moving to areas with greater supply, which may be out of London, by providing high quality advice and information
To inform and advise customers on landlord/tenant issues, including identifying households needing to be referred to the Tenancy Relations service because of illegal eviction or harassment, or any other landlord/tenant offence, carrying out home visits when required
Ensuring applicants are aware of the nature and scope of accommodation which may be provided to them pending determination of their application for housing, and of the (limited) extent of choice available to them in terms of any future permanent housing. Making decisions about out-of- borough/ out-of-London supported housing placements
To prevent homelessness and identify other housing solutions including negotiating with landlords to find solutions to impending homelessness such as the reduction in rent, use of DHP to cover rent arrears
Assistance in defending possession action, which could include attending court
Identifying barriers for customers being able to help themselves such as job/training opportunities. Finding solutions to these problems and working with the customer to overcome these obstacles. To include producing a personal housing plan for customers to follow and to refer to floating support services
Ensuring that information obtained and given are properly recorded, carrying out preventative work whenever possible, and ensuring that applicants are kept informed of progress in determining their homelessness application
Attending multi agency case reviews when required
Carrying out thorough but sensitive investigations into homelessness applications, identifying the need for Bed and Breakfast, supported housing, winter shelter or other temporary accommodation
Identifying possible fraudulent applications and recommending referral to corporate fraud including the notification to the Border agency if immigration breaches have been identified
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Able to demonstrate, maintain and apply in depth knowledge and understanding of landlord and tenant and homeless legislation.
Knowledge of the issues faced by homeless households, the underlying causes of homelessness and the barriers to accessing accommodation
Able to organise own workload effectively, work within agreed deadlines and prioritise urgent cases
Able to think analytically and identify key casework issues to inform sound decision making
Able to work under pressure and with customers who may exhibit challenging behaviour.
Able to demonstrate emotional resilience
Able to work in a multidisciplinary setting and to build working relationships with internal and external agencies
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate internally and externally with customers and professionals involved in their support
Able to use windows based applications, MS Office including Email and internet based technologie
Able to provide a caring and responsive service to customers, listening to and understanding their individual needs and concerns and addressing those needs and concerns as far as possible within the given resource constraints
Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
