Housing Advice & Homelessness Officer

Job Description

Housing Advice & Homelessness Officer Meyer Scott Ref: VR/08522Salary: £15.97 - £18.57 per hourLocation: Cambourne - Home Working / Throughout the DistrictType: 3 Month AssignmentThis position is working for South Cambridgeshire District Council which is based in Cambourne. Description of duties and responsibilitiesTo provide a housing advice, homeless prevention, and homelessness service to the public. Key result areas / overviewTo provide a service to the public in conjunction with other members of the Housing Advice and Options team through appointments with clients at the main office, home visits and at the Councils village housing surgeriesKey responsibilities / specific duties

• To provide housing advice to the public at the Councils offices, on the telephone, during home visits and at outreach surgeries on housing rights and options, homeless prevention, welfare rights, landlord and tenant law, mortgage arrears, etc.
• To manage a caseload of housing advice cases with the aim of preventing homelessness or securing other options to meet clients housing needs. Including home visits to negotiate with private landlords etc with a view to maintaining clients in their homeeither long term or until another option can be secured.
• Taking and undertaking full investigations into homelessness applications and making recommendations to the Housing Advice and Homelessness team leader in accordance with Part VII, Housing Act 1996
• To advise clients on their housing options, including private rent, low-cost home ownership, the housing register and choice-based lettings).
• To provide appropriate advice in relation to the lettings policy and likelihood of rehousing.
• To assist vulnerable clients, including those with special needs, to appropriate support agencies in order to retain their accommodation where possible,
• To follow the processes set out in the joint protocol when working with young people threatened with homelessness and to refer to supported housing projects where appropriate to do so.
• To support clients to access the private rented sector by providing information and advice on private landlords and local letting agents including viewing prospective properties with clients, negotiating with landlords and nominating to the Rent depositGuarantee scheme for financial assistance or the settled homes scheme to secure private rented accommodation where appropriate.
• Managing a caseload of homeless households while in temporary accommodation including registering and maintaining Housing Register applications, checking priority, and advising and assisting households regarding village choices and chances of rehousing.Referring vulnerable cases for support where additional support needs are identified.
• Maintaining contact with the RSLs providing temporary accommodation to ensure all parties are working towards the support and resettlement of the household, including attendance at joint meetings, minute taking and the promotion of good working relations.
• Placing homeless households into appropriate temporary accommodation and monitoring the availability of vacancies in hostels and leased properties, to ensure best use and minimum void times.
• To maintain up to date information on current housing provision in the district and surrounding areas to ensure appropriate advice is given on housing options in the area.
• Work to promote other options to help reduce the numbers in temporary accommodation.
• To assist in the development and maintenance of good practice in all aspects of the Housing Advice and Homelessness Service including taking part in meetings with outside agencies in specialist areas.
• To contribute to the implementation of the Councils Homelessness Strategy and attend Steering Group meetings where possible.
• To contribute to the identification, development and implementation of manual and information technology systems and procedures.
• To take part as required in the out of hours service which requires the officer to be contactable via the out of hours mobile and respond to emergency homeless situations on a rota basis with other housing advice staff. An additional payment is made forthis. (Participating in the rota is optional).

Hours: Monday - Friday 37 hours per week.

Keyskills :
Housing