| Description |
Housing Officer
Croydon
Temporary Role: £14.60 per hour
Within this role you will work with a team of Initiatives Officers in the development and operation of supply initiatives to reduce homelessness, and maximise the supply of private sector accommodation, ensuring all cases are dealt with in accordance with the law and Council policy.
We are looking for candidates who have at least been involved in procuring properties from private sector landlords and letting agents as well as property inspection skills along with others.
Duties will include:
- Identifying operational problems affecting the implementation or performance of key initiatives and service objectives developed as part of the temporary accommodation and homelessness strategy.
- The interpretation of housing legislation and Council policy and how this relates to accommodation providers, tenants and strategic partners.
- Consideration of the suitability of prospective tenants, landlords and properties to the various schemes and justification of reasons for refusal.
- Reviewing and making recommendations for improving systems of work within team and with external departments and sections
- Identifying suitable accommodation for homeless households, meeting any identified special needs, and ensuring that allocations comply with homelessness legislation, the Council’s temporary accommodation policy and with inter-borough agreements regarding price levels, standards, location etc.
- To identify priorities for placements and areas where costs can be minimised and value for money achieved, and to discharge households from emergency accommodation when alternative accommodation is provided, or the Council’s duty to house applicants has ended.
Skills & Experience Required:
- Good verbal and written communication skills including the ability to negotiate with accommodation providers and explain complex issues to the diverse users of the service and the ability to write letters, report, and procedures using Plain English.
- Ability to manage a varied and demanding workload, and to provide a consistently high quality of work with limited supervision)
- Ability to take responsibility for one’s own and team performance in delivery of a customer focused service.
- Ability to assess and communicate service issues and problems, and identify and cost appropriate responses and solutions.
- Experience of dealing with members of the public in sometimes stressful situations where their expectations cannot always be met.
- Experience of working in a social/private sector housing environment or related field
- Experience of using a range of software packages including database, MS Word and spreadsheets
- Experience of working with Private landlords and lettings agents
- Experience of working with young people and leaving care clients
- Experience of writing reports and carrying out property inspections using HHRS
Headstart Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer |
