Housing Options & Move-On Officer in Walthamstow

4Recruitment Services are seeking an experienced Housing Options & Move-On Officer to work for a local authority based in Walthamstow.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive homelessness prevention, housing options, temporary accommodation and private rented sector (PRS) move-on service.

The role will involve working with vulnerable residents, including individuals with a history of rough sleeping and households at risk of homelessness, to secure suitable and sustainable accommodation within the private rented sector.

Candidates must have experience working with homeless households, a strong understanding of the causes and complexities of rough sleeping, and experience assessing accommodation suitability in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 (Part VII).

Key Responsibilities include:

• Deliver a comprehensive housing options, homelessness prevention, temporary accommodation placement and move-on service.
• Work proactively with residents who have experienced rough sleeping to facilitate successful move-on into the private rented sector.
• Support households at risk of homelessness, identifying suitable housing solutions and preventing the need for temporary accommodation.
• Assess household circumstances, housing needs, affordability, risks and support requirements to identify sustainable accommodation options.
• Provide advice and guidance in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 (Part VII) and relevant homelessness legislation.
• Assess the suitability of accommodation offers, ensuring decisions are lawful, robust and defensible.
• Negotiate with landlords to prevent tenancy breakdown and sustain existing accommodation wherever possible.
• Identify, source and secure suitable private rented accommodation to meet housing needs and discharge statutory duties.
• Arrange and allocate emergency and temporary accommodation, including B&Bs, hostels, nightly lets, PSLs and other accommodation schemes.
• Support residents through crisis situations, accommodation placements and transitions into settled housing.
• Work collaboratively with landlords, accommodation providers, internal housing teams and external support agencies.
• Make appropriate referrals to specialist services, including domestic abuse, mental health, adult social care and NRPF services.
• Manage complex and escalated customer cases, providing appropriate housing advice and recommendations.

Essential Experience includes:

• Proven experience working within a homelessness, housing options or local authority housing service.
• Experience supporting homeless households and vulnerable individuals, particularly those with a history of rough sleeping.
• A good understanding of the causes and complexities of rough sleeping and the barriers individuals face in securing settled accommodation.
• Experience of homelessness prevention, private rented sector access and move-on services.
• A sound understanding of the Housing Act 1996 (Part VII) and relevant homelessness legislation.
• Experience assessing the suitability of accommodation in line with statutory requirements.
• The ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions and maintain accurate case records.

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on (phone number removed) or email  (url removed)