Homelessness Officer

Full Job Description

MMP Consultancy are looking to recruit to an Homelessness Officer join a fantastic Local Authority Association based in Surrey on a temporary hybrid contract.

To provide comprehensive housing advice to the public to prevent homelessness where possible, enable customers to make informed decisions based on an understanding of the options available to them and to maximise the use of good quality housing across all tenures.

This will be a temporary role paying £30.00 an hour.

Duties:

* Provide, as a member of the Housing Options Team, a comprehensive housing options service to the public, including retaining their current accommodation, obtaining alternative accommodation, debt counselling, mortgage advice, welfare benefits and income maximisation advice, advice on landlord and tenant disputes and generally wherever possible to assist individuals to secure accommodation suitable for their needs, within the council's current homeless prevention agenda and financial and policy constraints.
* Offer free, confidential and impartial information and advice to the public about their housing rights and obligations under legislation and Council policy either in the Town Hall or alternative locations as appropriate.
* Provide advice about the provisions of Part VI and Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness
* Act 2002, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and Localism Act 2011.
* Investigate the circumstances of people presenting to the Council as homeless and to determine, in accordance with current legislation, case law and the Code of Guidance issued to local authorities by the Department of Communities and Local Government, what duties the Council has towards them and to issue legal and robust notification plans and decision letters accordingly.
* Arrange for homeless applicants to be placed in temporary accommodation where a duty to do so has been triggered in accordance with current legislation and procedures.
* Ensure the most effective use is made of temporary accommodation, especially in relation to the cost to the Council of providing it and to the needs of the applicant.
* Refer homeless applicants to other Local Authorities where appropriate.
* Arrange for the storage of furniture and belongings of homeless applicants, where the Council has a duty to assist them with this, in accordance with current procedures.
* Write up detailed case notes, reports and housing plans, ensure that up-to-date file notes and other records, including computerised records are maintained, conduct correspondence and deal with telephone enquiries as appropriate.

Skills & Abilities

* Able to work on own initiative
* Able to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
* Excellent communication skills at all levels
* Developed negotiating skills
* Good written and oral communications skills
* Be confident and competent with standard IT packages
* Proven decision making skills
* Good numeracy skills
* Detailed and extensive knowledge of the current legislation and duties owed to persons by the
* Council under Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002, Homelessness
* Reduction Act 2017, Localism Act 2011 and its application.
* Detailed and extensive knowledge of the current Code of Guidance for Local Authorities, Relevant Case Law and its application.

Title: Homelessness Officer
Location: Crawley