Housing Management Worker

Job title:
Housing Management Worker - Supported Housing

Reports to:
Service Lead - Supported Housing

Hours:
37.5 hours per week 5 days Monday - Friday

**Salary**:
£24,000 per annum

Job role and purpose:
Lotus Housing is a community interest company. We operate nationally, providing transitional supported housing to vulnerable adults and families at risk of homelessness and private sector rental accommodation. For our supported residents, we provide Intensive Housing Management services which aim to empower residents with the right tools to live independently by managing a tenancy and household. For every person we’ve helped reach independence, we know there are many more that could benefit as the demand for housing out paces the supply. We are constantly expanding our services by growing our housing provision and the number of residents we empower.

Our aim is to end homelessness and the size of our task is what keeps us motivated.

Main duties and responsibilities:
Working as part of a team, the main purpose of this role is to manage a portfolio of properties and tenancies

across a designated area to deliver a high quality, responsive and effectively supported, intensive housing management service to Residents. You will be working with vulnerable adults, or families that may be at risk of homelessness and some of whom may have complex needs.

Main Responsibilities

Directly support up to 15 Residents to manage and maintain their tenancy, provided thorough weekly scheduled support meetings to each Residents in your designated area & complete thorough support logs. This will include travelling between locations for which mileage is paid.
- Prepare and update accommodation support plans & risk assessments at point of sign-up and schedule meetings to assist the resident in settling in and working towards their set targets.
- Act as advocate for Residents so that they can access all key services, signposting them to relevant support services and liaising with support services where required. This may include but is not limited to, debt management, employment, training, volunteering.
- To sign up Residents onto the correct Tenancy agreements and explain the Residents’ obligations. Ensuring that each housing benefit claim is submitted at tenancy signup stage and a reference number is obtained. Record tenancy and housing benefit claim onto our inhouse system and chase any delays in payment with the local authority.
- Ensure that the proof of identity process and right to rent checks are being completed and recorded.
- Provide accommodation which meets our lettable standards, ensuring that the property is prepared and cleaned prior to letting.
- Be involved in ordering furniture and goods for the property and work closely with the Compliance and Asset Management teams to ensure property standards are maintained, repairs are reported in a timely manner and ensure the properties are suitable for letting and safe occupation.
- Maximise rent collection and adhere to the arrears management policy and procedure and monitor agreements made to reduce rent arrears, when necessary, with relevant parties.
- To ensure we are adhering to regulatory requirements, carry out health and safety property inspections and assist with scheduled compliance checks to ensure that all systems are updated, and repairs are reported to maintenance.
- To take actions and escalate any areas of concern where there are any issues identified at the property or with your residents, such as anti-social behaviour, non-engagement with the service and to ensure that service delivery is provided in line with Lotus Sanctuary operational standards, policies and procedures and any issues are escalated to your Line Manager.
- Ensure that we are notified of all empty properties in a timely manner. Liaise closely with your line manager to understand the current position of all voids within your designated area. To ensure voids meet lettable standards before letting and ensuring voids are turned around within 7 days.
- To take responsibility for safeguarding the welfare of our Residents, attend multidisciplinary team meetings where safeguarding issues have been identified and if necessary, progress any actions with the Residents and keep detailed records of all actions agreed.
- Complete all mandatory training required for your role, attend regular 121 meetings with your line manager and team meetings.

Organisational Responsibilities
- Liaise effectively and develop strong working relationships with a variety of internal departments,

Statutory and voluntary agencies, including local authorities, housing benefit departments, welfare rights services, DWP, charities and debt management services, drug, and alcohol services as needed.
- Respond swiftly to enquiries, complaints requests or problems raised by residents, local authorities, Probation, Police, or your Line Manager.
- Support and maintain Residents involvement opportunities and submit content