Housing Options Advisor

Contract to start 23-01-23 until 31-03-23 with a possible extension.

The officer will be required to do duty and obviously cover in the absence of staff holidays. So a minimum of 2 days Office based is mandatory and sometimes 3 days for back up or cover.

**MAIN PURPOSE**

To interview and assess homeless people

To prevent homelessness by promoting housing options

To determine whether applicants are owed a statutory duty under the 1996 Housing Act, Part 7 as amended

To advise those who are threatened with homelessness in order to prevent homelessness

To assess the entitlements of single non-priority homeless people and give them statutory advice and assistance

To participate in and help develop outreach work, such as advice surgeries

To provide advice to private sector tenants

**MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

Prevention Functions

To interview customers, to assess whether homelessness can be prevented in any way

To assess whether those who are threatened with homelessness qualify for private sector options, based on the likelihood of their meeting the criteria for the full housing duty under the Housing Act Part 7 as amended

To explain housing options clearly and lawfully to qualifying customers and to promote the idea, to interest as many customers as possible

To negotiate with applicants and explain the benefits of taking up housing options in a positive way

To complete interview notes and forms correctly

To administer a case load of options cases and ensure they are progressed efficiently

To interview applicants and take detailed statements concerning their eligibility, priority need, homelessness, intentional homelessness and local connection

To make detailed enquiries to outside agencies and authorities in order to verify and obtain further information about the above and to investigate the applicants statement. To prevent fraud and protect resources

To carry out on a rota basis, unaccompanied visits to applicants homes and other private addresses, in order to confirm homelessness, negotiate with licensors and evaluate the domestic situation

To identify cases of fraud and misrepresentation under supervision and ensure appropriate legal action can be taken

To understand when the council is obliged in law to offer interim/emergency accommodation and under supervision to minimise booking into temporary accommodation. To recommend booking in cases where a statutory duty is apparent

To gather information to help decide whether the council has a statutory duty to protect an applicant’s personal property. To discuss with the temporary accommodation and floating support officer if this is to be done

To assess prima facie non-priority cases under the Housing Act 1996 Part 7 as amended, to issue statutory decision letters in these cases and to offer advice and assistance to enable this group to seek their own housing

**Knowledge**

To have a knowledge of relevant current legislation and case law, including the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, the Housing Acts of 1985, 1988, 1996 and 2004

**Skills**

Excellent communication skills, including under the Housing Act 1996, Part 7 to write and speak to landlords and to explain matters to customers

Ability to negotiate with householders

**Experience/Training**

Experience of interviewing the public in a housing advice, homelessness or related field

5222258-01-23

**Salary**: £26.00 per hour

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in MORDEN

Reference ID: 5222258-01-23