Housing Support Officer

**For more information about this role, you can call the Green Lane Housing Manager, Lynne Worsnop on 01922 631553.**:
**JOBDESCRIPTION**:
**Title**:Housing Support Officer**

**Salary**: £12.59per hour

**Working Hours**: 37.5 hours per week. **1pm-9pm shiftsrequired for 2 days each week.** Due to the nature of the post, BankHoliday work may also be necessary.

**Fixed Term Contract**: Ending 31stJune 2026

**Responsible to**: Housing Services Manager

**Location**:YMCA Green LaneHousing, Walsall, WS2 8HE

**Background**:
YMCABlack Country Group (YMCA BCG) is the branch of the YMCA global movement in theBlack Country. YMCA BCG operates charitable companies & associatedtrading subsidiaries in the Black Country boroughs and South Staffordshirearea. The combined turnover of the group is in excess of £6M, delivering a widerange of community services including supported housing, youth work, childcareand family support, drug and alcohol counselling, skills and employmenttraining, health and well-being services. YMCA BCG employs over 200 staffand also works with around 50 volunteers and voluntary trustees.

**Job role**:
To support the Housing Services Manager to ensure the provision of high-quality day-to-day housingmanagement and tenancy sustainment functions of the YMCAs housing stock inBlack Country. This includes, but not exclusively, the letting, management,maintenance, administration, rent collection and provision of housing serviceson all allocated Black Country housing properties. In addition, monitoring andreviewing the progress of residents within the schemes using various tenancysustainment assessment tool, enabling them to Belong, Contribute and Thrive.

**Duties**:
**Access to Housing & Tenancy Sustainment**

1. To be involvedin interviewing applicants and carrying out the appropriate needs and riskassessments and reference checks before offering accommodation.

2. To carry out anappropriate induction to the allocated Black Country housing property once anoffer has been made to an applicant.

3. To coordinateor signpost any additional support a resident may require during their time atthe YMCA by liaising with internal and external agencies in relation tomaintaining their accommodation.

4. To promote theservices provided by YMCA Black Country Housing Services ensuring referralagencies and applicants have the appropriate information about the schemes.

5. To keep voidsto a minimum on allocated properties by ensuring they are cleaned, prepared andready to let in the quickest time possible.

6. To complete andrecord property checks at least monthly (more frequent if required) to ensureresidents are adhering to the licence agreement and the property is being keptin a good condition, reporting any property defects in a timely manner.

**Financial Accountability**

7. To beresponsible for managing the rent arrears of allocated properties maximisingall income, reducing arrears, and ensuring all records are accurate and up todate. Monitoring any rent agreements that may be agreed by the Housing ServicesManager.

8. To ensure theHousing Services Manager is aware of any rent accounts that are risky and takeproactive action to address in line with the rent arrears policy.

9. Ensureresidents claim all entitled benefits including Housing Benefit and otherapplicable benefits / grants to ensure recovery of rent and service charges.

10. Liaise with Housing Benefit staff to ensure theresidents account is active and the resident is aware of their responsibilityof providing any information to ensure the housing benefit is paid and reduceall arrears.

**Housing Management Services**

11. Liaise with Housing Benefit Office, EmploymentServices, Social Services, Probation Services and other authorities asnecessary in relation to housing management.

12. Ensure that residents are compliant with and keptfully informed and consulted on matters affecting their Licence Agreement/Tenancyand they understand their rights and responsibilities.

13. Liaise with Housing Service Manager concerningbreaches of the Licence Agreement/Tenancy at an early stage and help seekpositive resolutions.

14. Make regular visits to the residents in their propertyto ensure safety and security of the accommodation and deliver and monitormanagement and support services.

15. Deliver housing services including arranging theservicing of appliances and advice on safe use of equipment and applianceswhere applicable.

16. Maintain information relevant to the client groupincluding information on issues and organisations relevant to the welfare ofvulnerable people.

17. Ensure incidents / issues arising are fully reportedand investigated and take action to resolve problem or take holding actionuntil a permanent solution is found.

**Tenancy Sustainment Support**

18. Deliver person centred support to residents living in our supportedhousing units enabling them to sustain their tenancy whilst working in a TraumaInformed way and deliver services that are cu