Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Housing Resolutions Officer for our client a local government organisation based in Brent, London.
The successful candidate will provide housing options advice to households in temporary accommodation and promote effective move-on to other settled housing, including private rented sector, intermediate and social housing. The post-holder will also undertake suitability of accommodation reviews, fear of violence investigations and related enforcement activity; work with accommodation providers and other services to resolve complaints and tenancy support issues; and support the implementation of a programme of tenancy audits.
This role is a temporary contract for 6 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working.
Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to:
*Visit households in temporary accommodation to provide them with advice and guidance on the full range of housing options available to them and manage their expectations, taking into account their needs and aspirations, their priority on the Housing Register and ability to sustain other options, including intermediate housing options and private rented accommodation.
*Work with the Social Housing Assessment and Lettings team to monitor biding activity across households in temporary accommodation and offer support to those households who require assistance, in order to help them make informed choices about their future housing.
*Signpost/refer households in temporary accommodation to other agencies as required, including employment and training providers, supported housing services, children’s services or adult care.
*Assist homeless households in temporary accommodation deal with the effects of the welfare reforms by provide advice and assistance on employment opportunities and benefit entitlement.
*Encourage and help homeless households in temporary accommodation to comply with their licence or tenancy conditions, but where there is a serious breach of duty (including
*harassment, anti-social behaviour and hate crime) and/or the organisation has discharged its homelessness duty, ensure the accommodation is withdrawn and recovered as efficiently and quickly as possible.
*Determine the organisation’s discharge of its legal obligations in cases where temporary accommodation is refused and to consider appeals, reviews and legal representations where appropriate to comply with statutory requirements.
*Investigate cases of domestic violence and fear of violence reported by households in temporary accommodation and take appropriate action to manage risks to personal safety.
*Promote effective use of the TA budget by regularly reviewing move on from emergency to settled temporary accommodation and investigating the reasons for long stays in high cost emergency accommodation.
*Identify cases of suspected fraud and misrepresentation and to take appropriate action in conjunction with the Resolutions Team Leader.
*Reply promptly to enquiries and complaints from TA clients and their advocates, including elected members, MPs and ombudsman cases in line with the organisation’s procedure and attend court cases where required.
*Ensure lease renewal negotiation is started 3 months prior to lease end date to ensure that vacant possession is gained to ensure the council are not in breach of lease.
Personal Requirements:
*Knowledge of the Housing Act 1996, parts 6 and 7, as amended, the Homelessness Act 2002, Localism Act 2012, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and related legislation and case law.
*A good understanding and awareness of housing issues and homelessness issues.
*Good knowledge of landlord and tenant law, the possession grounds relating to rented properties and the eligibility criteria for means tested benefits.
*Experience of giving advice and information to customers and working with vulnerable groups.
*Understanding of homelessness and housing issues in the borough.
*Knowledge of temporary accommodation provision and usage.
*Strong and effective experience in provision of exceptional customer services.
*Experience of the Suitability Assessment in recommending potential pathways for homeless households residing in temporary accommodation.
Working Hours: 37hrs / 9:00am - 17:00pm / Hybrid Working / Mon–Fri
Pay: £21.41 per hr
Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.