Housing Adviser - Homelessness

A reputable housing provider is currently seeking an experienced Housing Adviser to join its Housing Service on a temporary basis. This is a key frontline role responsible for providing professional housing advice and assessing homelessness applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Location: London
Contract: Temporary
Working Pattern: 3 days per week in the office
Pay Rate: £23.50 - £23.83 per hour PAYE
Umbrella Rate: £30.47 per hour
Hours: Full-time

You will manage a caseload of applicants who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, undertaking detailed assessments, making statutory decisions, maximising homelessness prevention opportunities and ensuring applicants receive appropriate advice and assistance.

The successful candidate will have strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and be confident managing complex cases with a high degree of autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess, administer and determine homelessness applications in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Conduct comprehensive Housing Options interviews with applicants who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
• Complete enquiries into applicants' circumstances, verify documentation and assess eligibility, housing circumstances and statutory duties.
• Develop and maintain Personal Housing Plans (PHPs) and identify opportunities to prevent or relieve homelessness.
• Provide clear and appropriate housing advice to applicants and identify suitable accommodation options.
• Proactively manage an allocated caseload, ensuring applications are continuously reviewed and progressed.
• Make evidence-based decisions regarding prevention, relief and other statutory homelessness duties.
• Issue statutory notifications and decision letters accurately and within required timescales.
• Complete detailed case records and ensure housing management systems and databases are maintained accurately.
• Carry out affordability assessments and advise applicants on suitable and affordable accommodation.
• Recommend temporary accommodation placements where appropriate and in accordance with statutory duties.
• Assess applications for the housing register and determine priority in accordance with the relevant allocations policy.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners, making referrals and participating in case conferences and multi-agency meetings where required.
• Identify safeguarding concerns involving vulnerable adults and children and escalate appropriately.
• Maintain an awareness of potential housing fraud and work with relevant services where concerns arise.
• Assist with statutory reviews, legal challenges and appeals where required.
• Respond to complaints, Members' enquiries and routine/non-routine correspondence.
• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance, case law, policies and procedures.
• Deliver consistently high standards of customer service when working with residents and applicants across different contact channels.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Previous experience working as a Housing Adviser, Housing Options Officer, Homelessness Officer or similar role.
• Strong practical knowledge of Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Good working knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Experience applying the Homelessness Code of Guidance and relevant case law.
• Proven experience conducting homelessness assessments and making statutory decisions.
• Experience managing a complex caseload with minimal supervision.
• Experience developing and reviewing Personal Housing Plans.
• Strong understanding of homelessness prevention and relief duties.
• Experience carrying out affordability assessments and advising on accommodation options.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Housing Adviser to join a reputable housing provider and take responsibility for a varied homelessness and housing options caseload.

You will have the opportunity to use your statutory housing knowledge within a busy service while supporting residents to prevent and resolve homelessness.

APPLY NOW with your latest CV for the Housing Adviser role to be considered.