Accommodation Solutions Officer

**Accommodation Solutions Officer**

**Location**: Hornton Street, W8 7NX

**Start Date**: ASAP
**Contract Duration**: 3+ Months
**Working Hours**: Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 17:00, 37 Hours per week
**Pay Rate**: £ 20.86 per hour
**Job Ref**: 5276017

**Responsibilities**:

- Support the Accommodation Solutions Team Managers in enhancing the development, efficiency, and success of the Temporary Accommodation and Resettlement team.
- Provide housing options advice to households in temporary accommodation and facilitate effective move-on to permanent housing such as intermediate rent, private rented, and social housing.
- Conduct suitability of accommodation reviews and related enforcement activities.
- Collaborate with accommodation providers and other services to resolve complaints and tenancy support issues.
- Assist in handling complex suitability reviews and enforcement cases, including providing written statements for judicial review cases.
- Follow policies and procedures to successfully place singles and families into suitable accommodation.
- Ensure all lettings comply with statutory requirements and the Council’s policies.
- Organize and facilitate storage of goods and removals as necessary.
- Liaise with the Procurement and Contract Management Team to ensure suitable properties are offered to applicants.
- Complete housing benefit forms and other required forms.
- Refer households for floating support when assistance is needed.
- Collect medical documents for appropriate referrals for medical reviews.
- Respond to requests for emergency transfers and visit households in temporary accommodation to provide advice and guidance on housing options.
- Monitor bidding activity and offer support to households requiring assistance to make informed housing choices.
- Signpost and refer households to other agencies as required, including employment and training providers, supported housing services, and social services.
- Encourage compliance with licence or tenancy conditions and take action in cases of serious breaches.
- Promote effective use of the temporary accommodation budget by reviewing move-on from emergency to settled accommodation.
- Support the development and implementation of temporary accommodation tenancy checks and investigate misuse or abandonment of accommodation.
- Close accounts and organize key returns when necessary.
- Issue Notice to Quits and liaise with the Council’s Legal Team when required.
- Reply promptly to customer enquiries and complaints, and attend court as necessary.
- Contribute to the development of policy, procedures, and practices, and achieve departmental aims and objectives.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, council officers, housing providers, and other stakeholders.
- Create and maintain accurate records of services to ensure compliance with reporting arrangements.
- Participate in relevant projects within and outside the section as appropriate.
- Comply with health and safety policies and attend relevant training.
- Undertake any duties appropriate to the grading of this post as requested by management.

**Person Specification**
- Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Council policies in relation to Equal Opportunity, Customer Care, and service delivery.
- Essential qualifications: Grade C or above in GCSE Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.
- Essential knowledge and experience of the government’s agenda on homelessness and welfare reform.
- Comprehensive knowledge of housing needs issues, legislation, and case law.
- Experience in delivering front-line services to homeless households.
- Experience in effective communication with customers and all organizational levels.
- Ability to manage a varied and demanding workload with limited supervision.
- Ability to assess and communicate service issues and identify appropriate responses and solutions.
- Commitment to equalities issues and understanding of their relation to the Re-settlement and Move-On Team.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 3 months

Pay: £20.86 per hour

Expected hours: 37 per week

**Experience**:

- Accommodation Solutions Officer: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person