​

5-6 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

•To provide a comprehensive end to end, seamless housing register and allocations service to Havering residents.

•To carry out holistic assessments of housing needs and provide timely and appropriate advice, practical support and referrals in line with the Housing Allocation Policy.

•To provide a customer-centred advice for those in housing need, enabling residents to make informed choices about housing options available to resolve their housing needs, including those who are not eligible to join the housing register.

•To assess applicants’ eligibility for re-housing in conjunction with Housing Allocation Policy. 

•To allocate Council and Housing Association properties to meets a diverse range of needs from eligible residents.

•To be pro-active in minimising void period on vacant Council and Housing Association properties by re-letting with minimum delays.

•To process applications for tenants due to be ‘decanted’ from the regeneration programme estates and allocate suitable alternative accommodation to ensure 

•Take proactive steps to prevent and resolve crisis across the housing, health and social care agendas.  

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

•Experience of working in a housing register management and/or housing allocations setting.

•Working knowledge of 1996 Housing Act Part VI in relation to accommodation and application of Housing Allocation Policy.

•Knowledge of legislation and case law on security of tenure, relationship breakdown and domestic abuse; welfare benefits, including personal benefits and housing related benefits.

•A general awareness of the different housing options available to residents.

•Experience of assessing and interviewing vulnerable people, extracting sensitive information and providing excellent customer care.

•Ability to deliver at pace and quickly to tight timescales

•Ability to work on own initiative and manage own workload.

•Ability to provide complex advice to customers verbally and in writing and write accurate and comprehensive decisions on own initiative in line with the Housing Allocation Policy

•Ability to deal with complex and contentious cases and make bespoke recommendations to the line manager.

•Ability to respond quickly and positively to changing work demands and conflicting priorities.

•Ability to recognise when to seek timely guidance from service managers to prevent casework delays and prevent escalation of cases and complaints.

•Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to effectively engage with a diverse range of audiences, including senior managers, members, landlords, solicitors, partner agencies and vulnerable customers, in a courteous and professional manner. 

•Good IT skills, including databases to log and manage information and use of mobile and remote technology to communicate. 

•Ability to champion service developments and gain commitment and input from other colleagues across the service.

•A good understanding of the local community, cultural diversity and the need to adapt services to enable equality of access to services. 

•Ability to constructively challenge in the workplace – but to also overcome obstacles and proactively find solutions.

Skills/Experience:

•Knowledge of the Housing Allocations Policy and the ability to assess applicants' eligibility for re-housing.

•Experience in delivering accurate and realistic housing advice via personal, telephone, and written communication.

•Ability to carry out comprehensive financial assessments and provide debt management support to residents.

•Familiarity with making referrals to Housing Medical Advisers, Occupational Therapy teams, and other specialist services.

•Experience advising residents on a wide range of housing options, including council housing, private renting, mortgage advice, and shared ownership.

•Proficient in advising on tenancy support services such as income maximisation, debt advice, Discretionary Housing Payments, and Housing Benefit support.

•Experience using identity/credit verification software to assess housing register applications.

•Knowledge of managing the termination of tenancies, including liaising with customers and/or relatives.

•Experience managing void properties, including lock changes and ensuring timely re-letting of properties.

•Competence in conducting pre-tenancy checks and managing the offer of accommodation, including accompanying viewings and tenant sign-ups.

•Ability to prepare and sign appropriate Tenancy Agreements or Licenses for customers.

•Familiarity with managing a list of adapted properties and ensuring suitable lettings.

•Experience identifying support needs of new tenants and referring them to relevant support services.

•Ability to identify cases of fraud and misrepresentation and take appropriate action.

•Strong understanding of statutory requirements, government guidance, and codes of conduct in housing services.

•Experience resolving customer complaints and correspondence in line with council procedures.

•Strong record-keeping skills, including maintaining written and computer records, reports, and monitoring information.

•Ability to prioritize caseloads, meet deadlines, and organize work efficiently.

•Experience driving innovation and implementing best practice solutions in housing services.

•Demonstrated commitment to providing customer-focused service, ensuring "right first-time" housing advice.

•Ability to promote service user involvement and support service delivery improvements.

•Awareness of cost-consciousness and ability to implement cost-effective changes to work processes.

•Experience completing CORE returns and contributing to service improvements.

•Strong links with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery and housing outcomes.

•Ability to attend and represent the Housing Allocation & Choice Manager at multi-agency meetings.

•Proven track record of meeting performance targets, including timely assessments, housing register reviews, and minimizing void periods.

Additional Information:

•The closing date: 31/03/2025 @00:00.

•Primarily remote working.

​