Housing Advisor

Main Purpose of Job Housing Advisor

To prevent homelessness in accordance with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act, associated Code of Guidance, case law and best practice.

To undertake a housing needs assessments for people seeking housing assistance and create housing plans tailored to the individuals needs and circumstances.

To manage a complex and demanding case load in a busy and often challenging environment and prevent or relieve homelessness through the provision of advice, advocacy, negotiation and mediation.

To ensure that all housing options have been thoroughly explored to ensure best efforts to prevent homelessness.

To undertake the assessment and investigation of homeless applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 where prevention/relief is not possible, and inform clients of their assessment outcome.

Key Areas of Responsibility Housing Advisor

To provide a front of house service for customers seeking housing advice and assistance, ensuring that both priority and non priority customers are directed to the appropriate part of the service.

Provide an advice and mediation service for households who live with families of friends and have been asked to leave, conducting home visits if required in order to help them to remain in their current accommodation and to avoid them having to move into temporary accommodation

To deliver a customer-facing service via drop in and appointments and work occasional evening meetings where required to accommodate the demand and flow of customers.

To deliver a customer-facing service via a telephone advice-line providing a full casework service for callers, as required.

Assess the temporary accommodation needs of customers as required and follow established placement and sign-up processes in order to provide a seamless service

Awareness of legislation relating to housing advice, homelessness, housing management and the allocation of housing, with a good practical understanding of the range of housing problems people may experience

Broad knowledge and understanding of the housing and support needs of homeless and housing applicants and tenants.

Excellent knowledge of negotiation and mediation techniques and their practical application A

Relevant Experience

Experience of dealing with a diverse and vulnerable clientele in housing/homeless related environment.

Experience of working in a service within a pressurised and high profile environment within a multi-disciplinary team, providing a quality service.

Experience of achieving performance targets and meeting departmental objectives

Experience of providing quality advice and information to members of the public and of handling complaints and enquiries

Housing Advisor Experience of producing high quality written communications to a corporate standard A Experience of using different IT systems in order to manage caseloads, monitor delivery of targets and drive improved service. QualificationsQ1Educated to degree level standard or equivalent or demonstrable suitable experience