Job Description – Housing Options Officer
Job Title: Housing Options Officer (Singles Homeless / Families Pathway)
Location: Cambridgeshire
Job Purpose:
To deliver an effective front-line housing options service focused on preventing and relieving homelessness through statutory assessment, case management, and personalised housing support.
Key Responsibilities
Homelessness Assessment & Case Management
Assess homelessness applications in line with Housing Act 1996 Part VII, relevant case law, and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Manage a caseload within either the Single Homeless Pathway or Families Pathway.
Provide early intervention to prevent homelessness or secure suitable alternative accommodation.
Arrange temporary accommodation where statutory relief duty applies.
Produce legally compliant decision letters and maintain accurate case records.
Prevention & Housing Solutions
Negotiate with landlords, family members, mortgage providers, and housing associations to sustain accommodation or secure alternatives.
Utilise homelessness prevention tools such as:
Prevention funds
Rent deposits
Mediation support
Develop and deliver personalised housing plans using a strength-based approach.
Support access to housing registers, allocations, and suitable long-term accommodation.
Partnership & Multi-Agency Working
Coordinate end-to-end case management with internal teams and external agencies.
Build effective relationships with statutory organisations, advocates, and third-sector providers.
Support vulnerable households with complex needs including mental health, substance misuse, disability, domestic abuse, or refugee status.
Service Delivery & Compliance
Ensure compliance with equality, safeguarding, health & safety, and customer care policies.
Contribute to continuous service improvement and collaborative team working.
Undertake additional duties aligned to the role as required by the service.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Specialist understanding of housing legislation including:
Housing Act 1996 (Parts VI & VII)
Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Children Act 1989, Care Act 2014, Refugee Asylum Act 1999
Knowledge of landlord-tenant law, homelessness prevention approaches, and housing options.
Awareness of causes of homelessness and support services.
Understanding of value-for-money principles in local government.
(Desirable) Experience using Housing Partners Jigsaw system.
Skills & Abilities
Strong interpersonal, interviewing, and negotiation skills.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with diverse stakeholders.
Empathetic, non-judgmental approach when supporting vulnerable individuals.
Excellent organisation, planning, and accurate record-keeping.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Experience
Experience within a housing association or local authority homelessness/housing options service.
Casework experience under Housing Act 1996 Part VII including Section 184 decisions.
Delivering homelessness prevention services and personalised housing plans.
Supporting households with complex needs and working in multi-agency environments.
Qualifications
Minimum 5 GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.
Evidence of continuous professional development.
(Desirable) CIH or relevant professional qualification.
Additional Requirements
Ability to work outside normal office hours when required.
Willingness to travel in line with role needs.
Commitment to equality, safeguarding, and high-quality customer care.