5301255 – Housing Options Advisor

Job Details

1. MAIN PURPOSE

• To interview and assess homeless people
• To prevent homelessness by promoting housing options
• To determine whether applicants are owed a statutory duty under the 1996 Housing Act, Part 7 as amended
• To advise those who are threatened with homelessness in order to prevent homelessness
• To assess the entitlements of single non-priority homeless people and give them statutory advice and assistance
• To participate in and help develop outreach work, such as advice surgeries
• To provide advice to private sector tenants

2. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prevention Functions

• To interview customers, to assess whether homelessness can be prevented in any way
• To assess whether those who are threatened with homelessness qualify for private sector options, based on the likelihood of their meeting the criteria for the full housing duty under the Housing Act Part 7 as amended
• To explain housing options clearly and lawfully to qualifying customers and to promote the idea, to interest as many customers as possible
• To negotiate with applicants and explain the benefits of taking up housing options in a positive way
• To complete interview notes and forms correctly
• To administer a case load of options cases and ensure they are progressed efficiently
• To investigate homelessness applications to recommend whether a statutory duty is owed to the applicant under the supervision of the senior officer
• To interview applicants and take detailed statements concerning their eligibility, priority need, homelessness, intentional homelessness and local connection
• To make detailed enquiries to outside agencies and authorities in order to verify and obtain further information about the above and to investigate the applicants statement. To prevent fraud and protect resources
• To carry out on a rota basis, unaccompanied visits to applicants homes and other private addresses, in order to confirm homelessness, negotiate with licensors and evaluate the domestic situation
• To draft statutory decision letters on applications for amendment by a senior officer which explain decisions to applicants quotes legislation and case law, appropriate to that decision and explain the reasons for that decision
• To identify cases of fraud and misrepresentation under supervision and ensure appropriate legal action can be taken
• To understand when the council is obliged in law to offer interim/emergency accommodation and under supervision to minimise booking into temporary accommodation. To recommend booking in cases where a statutory duty is apparent
• To gather information to help decide whether the council has a statutory duty to protect an applicant’s personal property. To discuss with the temporary accommodation and floating support officer if this is to be done
• To assess prima facie non-priority cases under the Housing Act 1996 Part 7 as amended, to issue statutory decision letters in these cases and to offer advice and assistance to enable this group to seek their own housing

Tenancy Relations Functions

• To receive complaints of threatened or actual harassment, illegal eviction etc
• Conduct interviews and obtain the facts for referral to the senior options adviser for detailed casework which may result in the local authority bringing a prosecution

General

• To be aware and understand the council’s equal opportunities policy and ensure that at all times the duties of the post are carried out in accordance with the policy
• Ensure that within the scope of the job purpose the council’s aims in relation to customer service are achieved
• Ensure that the corporate and departmental health and safety policies are implemented at all times and to raise any concerns regarding the or operation or any health and safety matter with the appropriate senior Manager
• Undertake such other duties as may be required by or on behalf of the Director or head of Service provided they fall within the range and scope of the duties of the post as set out in the proceeding paragraphs and are commensurate with the grade of the post

Working Hours