Housing Officer

· Front line statutory homelessness team.

· Lead Professionals is one of the teams responsible for the provision of the statutory homeless service at London Borough Council Tower Hamlets.

· For the majority of homeless clients, it is the first point of contact for those approaching the Housing Options Service.

· You will work alongside colleagues to meet the council's obligations under Housing Act 1996 as amended by Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

· To conduct housing options interviews with customers focussing on assessing housing needs, preventing homelessness and giving good quality advice on the housing choices available so that customers can make informed decisions

· To negotiate and mediate with landlords, parents and other accommodation providers to prevent homelessness and provide practical assistance to help customers remain in their accommodation, including home visits.

· To provide good quality advice, information and assistance through face-to-face interviews, home visits, co-location, by telephone and by correspondence within a customer care framework, ensuring all deadlines are met and that customers can make informed decisions about their housing options

· To provide the above through a detailed knowledge of housing legislation and case law in relation to homelessness, children, immigration law, social housing sector landlord and tenant law, and family law including domestic abuse and welfare benefits and rights

· Experience of working with homeless under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 as amended including Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Homelessness Act 2002 is essential.

· Experience of Landlord and Tenant Legislation, the Housing Act 1985 and 1988, the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, and knowledge of Family law and welfare benefits is essential.

· Experience of developing strategies for preventing homelessness and the main housing options initiatives, provided by both statutory and voluntary organisations is essential.

Essential Qualification Required:

· General education qualification is essential.