Job Details

Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer

Location: Harrow
Contract: Temporary
Grade: G9
Directorate: Community
Division: Housing Services – Housing Needs
Reports to: Team Manager – Homelessness Prevention & Solutions

Job Purpose

Harrow Council is looking for an experienced Homelessness Prevention & Solutions Officer to join the Housing Needs team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for preventing and relieving homelessness for households approaching the Council in housing need. You will manage a caseload of homelessness cases, undertake statutory assessments under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, provide housing advice and develop practical solutions to help households secure and sustain suitable accommodation.

The role will involve working closely with applicants, landlords, agents, internal council departments and external agencies to prevent homelessness wherever possible and minimise the need for temporary accommodation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of homelessness and housing needs cases, prioritising work according to urgency and statutory deadlines.
• Undertake statutory homelessness assessments and determine the duties owed by the Council.
• Apply relevant legislation including the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, case law and government guidance.
• Interview applicants, investigate their circumstances and establish eligibility, homelessness, priority need, intentionality and local connection.
• Develop and maintain Personal Housing Plans (PHPs) and ensure agreed actions are completed within required timescales.
• Provide specialist advice and practical support to households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
• Work proactively to prevent homelessness, including negotiating with landlords, agents and other parties to sustain existing accommodation.
• Explore suitable housing options including the Private Rented Sector, hostels, intermediate housing and other accommodation schemes.
• Support applicants to secure and sustain PRS accommodation, including assisting with deposits, rent in advance and relevant financial support.
• Provide advice regarding Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance and welfare reforms.
• Issue accurate and legally robust Section 184, Section 188 and Section 193 decisions and other statutory correspondence.
• Make appropriate Section 198 referrals to other local authorities where a lack of local connection is established.
• Respond to reviews, complaints, Judicial Review challenges, Ombudsman enquiries and correspondence from MPs, councillors and legal representatives.
• Liaise with landlords and tenants regarding possession proceedings, Section 21 notices, illegal eviction, disrepair and tenancy issues.
• Attend court and case conferences where required and liaise with legal and review teams.
• Make appropriate referrals to Social Care, Mental Health, CAB, Probation, employment services and other agencies according to individual needs.
• Support vulnerable households through the resettlement process and help them sustain new accommodation.
• Undertake home visits where required to investigate and verify applicants’ circumstances.
• Identify potential fraud or misrepresentation and make appropriate referrals for investigation.
• Maintain accurate case records, statutory documentation and management information.
• Work towards challenging individual and team performance targets and statutory deadlines.
• Participate in housing advice duties, including face-to-face, telephone and electronic enquiries.
• Contribute to outreach work and initiatives aimed at preventing homelessness and promoting alternatives to social housing.

Essential Experience & Knowledge

The successful candidate will have:

• Strong experience working within a Local Authority Housing/Homelessness service.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and Housing Act 1996.
• Experience undertaking statutory homelessness assessments and issuing Section 184 decisions.
• Experience managing homelessness prevention and relief cases.
• Experience developing and reviewing Personal Housing Plans.
• Knowledge of eligibility, priority need, intentional homelessness and local connection.
• Strong understanding of the Private Rented Sector and homelessness prevention options.
• Experience negotiating and mediating with landlords, agents and other stakeholders.
• Experience working with vulnerable customers and complex homelessness cases.
• Knowledge of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance and welfare reforms.
• Experience handling sensitive information and carrying out detailed investigations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce detailed statutory letters and reports.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload, prioritise competing demands and meet statutory deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to deal professionally with challenging or difficult customers.
• Experience working to performance targets within a busy front-line housing environment.

Desirable

• Experience dealing with Judicial Reviews, Ombudsman enquiries or housing-related legal challenges.
• Experience attending court or supporting possession proceedings.
• Experience working with complex or vulnerable households.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Key Skills

Homelessness Legislation | Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 | Statutory Homelessness Assessments | Section 184 Decisions | Personal Housing Plans | Homelessness Prevention | Housing Options | Private Rented Sector | Landlord Negotiation | Housing Benefit & Universal Credit | Case Management | Vulnerable Customers

Working Requirements

• The role involves travel for business purposes, including home visits where required.
• Occasional work outside normal office hours may be required.
• The postholder will be expected to work effectively with internal and external partners and represent the Council at relevant meetings.