Homelessness & Housing Solutions Officer

Job Description

Homelessness & Housing Solutions Officer – 3 Month Contract (Potential Extension)

Location: Redditch

Rate: £30.00 per hour (Umbrella)

Contract: 3 Month Contract (Potential Extension)

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working – Minimum 2 Days Per Week Office-Based

Hours: Full Time

Pay: Bi-weekly

Summary

We are seeking an experienced Homelessness & Housing Solutions Officer to join our dynamic Housing Needs and Homelessness Service. This role is pivotal in preventing and alleviating homelessness by providing high-quality housing advice, casework, and solutions. You will manage your own caseload, conduct comprehensive homelessness assessments, and develop personalized housing plans. Collaboration with internal teams, landlords, and external agencies is essential to help clients secure and maintain accommodation. The ideal candidate will be adept at working with complex and vulnerable households, ensuring all actions are legally compliant and customer-focused.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse caseload of homelessness and housing options cases.
  
• Assess applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
  
• Conduct thorough investigations and make recommendations on statutory homelessness duties.
  
• Develop and review Personalized Housing Plans.
  
• Deliver interventions for homelessness prevention and relief.
  
• Provide professional housing advice across various housing tenures.
  
• Explore all available housing options to prevent homelessness.
  
• Support applicants in accessing private rented accommodation, social housing, and other housing pathways.
  
• Ensure temporary accommodation is provided where a statutory duty exists.
  
• Effectively manage placements into temporary accommodation and associated duties.
  
• Build and maintain relationships with private sector landlords to maximize housing opportunities.
  
• Collaborate with internal departments and external agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
  
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure information is recorded in accordance with legislation and service standards.
  
• Produce detailed reports, case summaries, and decision letters.
  
• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for information.
  
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, and housing legislation.
  
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and performance targets.
  

Requirements

Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, or Homelessness Assessment Service.
  
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Housing Act 1996 (Part VI & Part VII)
    
  • Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
    
  • Homelessness Code of Guidance
    
  • Welfare Reform
    
  • Safeguarding Legislation
    
  • Housing Allocations
    
• Experience assessing complex homelessness cases.
  
• Experience writing detailed, legally compliant decision letters and reports.
  
• Experience managing challenging, sensitive, and complex casework.
  
• Experience working with vulnerable households and individuals.
  
• Strong partnership-working experience with internal and external agencies.
  
• Experience achieving targets in a busy and demanding environment.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
  
• Experience using housing management and case management systems.
  

Desirable Requirements

• CIH Qualification or willingness to work towards one.
  
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
  
• Local Authority homelessness experience.
  
• Experience managing temporary accommodation placements.
  
• Experience working with private sector landlord schemes.
  
• Knowledge of wider housing management and tenancy services.
  

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be:

• Highly organized and able to manage competing priorities.
  
• Customer-focused and solutions-driven.
  
• Calm and resilient in challenging situations.
  
• Confident in making decisions and defending recommendations.
  
• Able to build strong relationships with customers, colleagues, landlords, and partner agencies.
  
• Passionate about preventing homelessness and improving outcomes for residents.
  
• Committed to delivering high-quality, legally compliant services.
  

What's on Offer?

• £30.00 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• 3-month contract with potential extension
  
• Hybrid working arrangement
  
• Minimum 2 days per week office-based
  
• Full-time hours
  
• Bi-weekly pay
  
• Opportunity to work within a busy and highly regarded Housing Solutions Team
  

Previous Local Authority Homelessness experience is highly desirable. Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with strong experience in Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, Homelessness Assessments, Housing Advice, or Temporary Accommodation services.

Requirements
Essential Requirements Minimum 3 years' experience working within a Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, or Homelessness Assessment Service. Strong working knowledge of: Housing Act 1996 (Part VI & Part VII) Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 Homelessness Code of Guidance Welfare Reform Safeguarding Legislation Housing Allocations Experience assessing complex homelessness cases. Experience writing detailed, legally compliant decision letters and reports. Experience managing challenging, sensitive, and complex casework. Experience working with vulnerable households and individuals. Strong partnership-working experience with internal and external agencies. Experience achieving targets within a busy and demanding environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong negotiation and problem-solving abilities. Experience using housing management and case management systems. Desirable Requirements CIH Qualification or willingness to work towards one. Membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). Local Authority homelessness experience. Experience managing temporary accommodation placements. Experience working with private sector landlord schemes. Knowledge of wider housing management and tenancy services. What We're Looking For The successful candidate will be: Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities. Customer-focused and solutions-driven. Calm and resilient in challenging situations. Confident making decisions and defending recommendations. Able to build strong relationships with customers, colleagues, landlords, and partner agencies. Passionate about preventing homelessness and improving outcomes for residents. Committed to delivering high-quality, legally compliant services. What's on Offer? £30.00 per hour (Umbrella) 3-month contract with potential extension Hybrid working arrangement Minimum 2 days per week office-based Full-time hours Bi-weekly pay Opportunity to work within a busy and highly regarded Housing Solutions Team Previous Local Authority Homelessness experience is highly desirable. Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with strong experience in Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, Homelessness Assessments, Housing Advice, or Temporary Accommodation services.