Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer

Our local authority client based in North West London are urgently seeking an experienced Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer.

*£29.51 an hour Umbrella

*Hybrid working

Role Purpose 

• To be responsible for the effective delivery of the Council’s duty to prevent and relieve homelessness for households who approach the Council in housing need. This will involve assisting homeless households to avoid the experience of temporary accommodation by engaging with all necessary parties including landlords and other excluders to stop the loss of their current accommodation followed by a planned move to the Private Rented Sector where appropriate. When this is not possible or appropriate, to explore and present a range of housing options to resolve their housing needs. 
• The postholder will have the ability for dealing with a range of cases, including complex cases which may be subject to judicial review and ombudsman enquiries. 
• The postholder will be responsible for conducting statutory homelessness assessments and for supporting households to sustain their tenancies and ensuring they are settled into their new accommodation. 
• The postholder will have a comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policy and procedures on homelessness in order to provide innovative advice and solutions when dealing with complex and difficult cases. 

Selection Criteria - Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Comprehensive knowledge of all core legislation such as the Housing Act 1985, Housing Act 1996 as amended by Homelessness Act 2002, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, housing needs issues, related legislation and case law.   
• A good working knowledge of housing benefit rules and of the supply and demand issues related to public sector and private housing in a London council.    
• Comprehensive knowledge of the private rented sector, the council’s statutory function to protect citizens from illegal eviction, county court possession proceedings and prevention tools and options.  

Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.