Housing Options Officer

Taunton

£21.73 Per Hour

I am recruiting for a local authority who is looking for a Housing Options Officer to join the team.

Job Role

Provide advice, information and assistance to applicants who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Help applicants to explore their housing options and find suitable accommodation that meets their needs. To work with a range of partners and agencies to prevent and reduce homelessness in the community.

Make enquiries and collect all relevant information from the applicant including financial statements or health information and carry out other verification checks as necessary, including authorised communication with statutory and voluntary agencies to support decision making.
Progress all homeless applications (Part 7 application) under current legislation, ensuring compliance to the Homelessness Code of Guidance.
Progress all housing applications (Part 6 applications) in line with the Homefinder Somerset Choice Based Lettings scheme and ensure these are completed in a timely manner.

Carry out an assessment of circumstances and needs to identify what has caused the homelessness or threat of homelessness and the housing needs of the applicant and any support needs to be able to secure and retain accommodation. Following the assessment, create a personalised housing plan with the applicant to help them retain or find accommodation.

Decision Making Decide on what duties are owed to the applicant (e.g., interim duty, prevention duty, relief duty), progressing all homeless applications, notifying applicants within target times whilst ensuring all decisions comply with current legislation. Make appropriate referrals to partner agencies and organisations to help with issues such as access to private rented accommodation, benefits, relationship breakdown, debt, budgeting, warrant, substance misuse, domestic abuse, rough sleeping, mental health, health, support, complex needs and learning difficulties.

Qualification/Knowledge / skills / experience

Current driving licence and access to own vehicle, to visit clients in their own homes.

An enhanced DBS check is a requirement of the role.