Housing Coordinator

Job Description

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Housing Coordinator

Recent experience within a Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, or Housing Advisory Service, preferably in a Local Authority setting.

Job Purpose

The Housing Coordinator is responsible for delivering a high-quality housing advice, homelessness prevention, and housing options service in accordance with relevant housing legislation and statutory duties. The post holder will work proactively with individuals and households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, using a range of prevention tools and interventions to secure sustainable housing solutions.

The role involves assessing housing needs, conducting homelessness investigations, managing casework, providing comprehensive advice and assistance, and working collaboratively with internal and external partners to achieve positive outcomes for residents. The Housing Coordinator will ensure compliance with the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, relevant case law, and government guidance while delivering excellent customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Housing Advice and Homelessness Prevention

• Provide comprehensive housing options, homelessness prevention, and housing advice services to residents.
  
• Assess and investigate homelessness applications in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and associated legislation.
  
• Develop and implement Personal Housing Plans to prevent and relieve homelessness.
  
• Utilise available homelessness prevention tools, including Homefinder Schemes, Rent Deposit Schemes, Discretionary Housing Payments, and mediation services.
  
• Assist households in securing suitable and affordable accommodation.
  
• Provide statutory advice and assistance to non-priority homeless applicants, including rough sleepers.
  

Case Management

• Manage a diverse caseload of homelessness and housing advice cases, ensuring timely and accurate case recording.
  
• Conduct detailed investigations to establish homelessness duties and housing entitlements.
  
• Arrange and undertake home visits to assess housing conditions, confirm homelessness, and verify household circumstances.
  
• Ensure all applications, assessments, decisions, and case records are completed accurately and within service standards.
  
• Prepare and issue legally compliant decisions and correspondence.
  

Partnership Working

• Work closely with internal teams including Gateway Services, Assessment Services, Temporary Accommodation Services, Adult Social Care, Children's Services, Revenues and Benefits, and Legal Services.
  
• Liaise with landlords, housing providers, support agencies, health professionals, voluntary organisations, and community groups to prevent homelessness.
  
• Collaborate with Market Management Teams to secure accommodation where housing duties are owed.
  
• Support referrals and joint working arrangements for vulnerable households, including care leavers, individuals with mental health needs, hospital discharges, and those with complex support requirements.
  

Legal and Technical Advice

• Provide specialist housing advice relating to:
  
• Security of tenure
  
• Tenancy agreements
  
• Possession proceedings
  
• Illegal eviction and harassment
  
• Housing disrepair
  
• Tenancy sustainment
  
• Welfare benefits and housing support
  
• Apply relevant legislation, case law, statutory guidance, and council policies in all decision making.
  
• Respond to legal challenges, reviews, complaints, councillor enquiries, MP enquiries, and complex correspondence within required timescales.
  
• Ensure compliance with homelessness legislation, including referrals, reviews, appeals, and associated statutory requirements.
  

Customer Service and Continuous Improvement

• Deliver excellent customer service through professional, respectful, and empathetic engagement.
  
• Promote self-service tools, including the Council website and online customer portal.
  
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to service monitoring and performance reporting.
  
• Support service improvement initiatives and contribute to achieving departmental and corporate objectives.
  

Experience Required

Essential

• Experience of delivering housing advice and homelessness prevention services.
  
• Experience of assessing and investigating homelessness applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
  
• Experience of managing a complex caseload while meeting deadlines and performance targets.
  
• Experience of working directly with members of the public in a customer-facing environment.
  
• Experience of handling sensitive, complex, challenging, or contentious cases.
  
• Experience of working collaboratively with internal departments and external agencies.
  
• Experience of negotiating successful outcomes with landlords, tenants, and partner organisations.
  
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and case management systems.
  
• Experience of using IT systems and databases to manage information effectively.
  

Desirable

• Experience within a local authority housing service.
  
• Experience of temporary accommodation, housing allocations, or welfare benefits.
  
• Experience of representing clients or providing support in legal or court-related housing matters.
  

Qualifications

Essential

• Good general standard of education, including English and Mathematics.
  
• Evidence of continuous professional development relevant to housing, homelessness, or customer services.
  

Desirable

• Professional qualification in Housing, Homelessness, Public Services, Social Care, or related discipline.
  
• CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing) qualification or equivalent.
  
• Housing law or homelessness prevention training.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act.
  
• Understanding of welfare benefits, Housing Benefit, Discretionary Housing Payments, and Local Housing Allowance.
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Ability to explain complex legal and technical information clearly.
  
• Strong investigative and analytical skills.
  
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
  
• Ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders and customers.
  
• Strong organisational and case management skills.
  
• Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure.
  
• Good negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
  
• Competent IT and database management skills.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  

Additional Information

• Location: London
  
• Working Pattern: Onsite (office-based)
  
• Hours: 35 hours per week
  
• Pay Rate: £28.30 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• Contract Type: Temporary/Agency Contract
  
• Department: Place – Housing & Regeneration, Housing Advisory Service
  

Additional Requirements

• Recent experience within a Housing Options, Homelessness Prevention, or Housing Advisory Service, preferably in a Local Authority setting.
  
• Strong knowledge of homelessness legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
  
• Experience assessing homelessness applications and delivering statutory housing advice.
  
• Proven ability to manage a complex caseload and meet statutory deadlines.
  
• Excellent customer service, communication, negotiation, and case management skills.
  
• Ability to undertake home visits and engage effectively with vulnerable residents and partner agencies.
  
• Competent in the use of housing management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
  

Requirements
• Provide comprehensive housing options, homelessness prevention, and housing advice services to residents. • Assess and investigate homelessness applications in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and associated legislation. • Develop and implement Personal Housing Plans to prevent and relieve homelessness. • Utilise available homelessness prevention tools, including Home finder Schemes, Rent Deposit Schemes, Discretionary Housing Payments, and mediation services.