Housing Options Officer

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. Cheltenham Borough Council is seeking a driven and empathetic individual to join our team as a Housing Options Officer, where you'll work towards preventing homelessness and providing vital support to our community.

Location: Cheltenham (GL50 9SA)

Salary: £33,024 - £35,745 per annum (Pay award pending wef 1 April 2024)

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37 Hours per week

About Us:

We are an ambitious and forward-thinking council, committed to making Cheltenham a better place to live and work, enabling communities and businesses to thrive whilst protecting the town’s cherished qualities.

Our aim to be an employer of choice where everyone is treated fairly and feels valued and respected. We aim to provide a stimulating and rewarding working environment that encourages our people to work together, provides opportunities for them to reach their full potential and achieve a healthy work/life balance.

Housing Options Officer – The Role:

To provide a comprehensive service to households who are homeless or in housing need by undertaking homelessness assessments and advising about housing options with the view to preventing homelessness wherever possible, or relieving homelessness.

Housing Options Officer – Key Responsibilities:

- Undertake and fulfil the council’s statutory and regulatory obligations for homelessness and allocations services

- Assess all applicants approaching for assistance under homelessness legislation to determine the council’s statutory responsibilities and identify support needs

- Issue decision letters in line with homelessness legislation

- Manage a caseload of homeless applications to complete personal housing plans with clients

- Provide advice and assistance to help customers resolve housing problems

- Respond to emergencies and provide a comprehensive service to homeless applicants in all aspects of welfare. This will include arranging emergency accommodation for all eligible applicants in accordance with the code of guidance

- Partake in homelessness prevention for applicants by liaising with appropriate agencies. This includes assisting applicants to access private rented sector using available finance options

- Attend a range of multi-agency meetings, and case conferences

- Work in partnership with statutory and non-statutory agencies

- Maintain accurate records and data on homeless applications and approaches

- Participate in an out-of-hours duty rota if reasonably requested

Housing Options Officer – You:

- Comprehensive understanding and knowledge of homelessness legislation and the allocations policy including Homeless Reduction act 2017

- Experience of writing and issuing Section 184 homelessness decision letters

- Up to date knowledge of homelessness case law and how this impacts decision making

- Knowledge of related information, such as safeguarding, domestic abuse, and mental health

- Understanding of the causes of homelessness and potential housing options and solutions

- Familiarity with countywide choice-based lettings system

- An appreciation of housing benefit, local housing allowance

- Understanding of EEA nationals’ eligibility rights

- Excellent case and time management skills

- Car user and vehicle available for work

Housing Options Officer – Benefits:

-Excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

- Generous holiday entitlement of 26 days rising to 31 days after five years. Part-time employees receive a pro rata entitlement of 26 days

- Flexible and agile working environment. We aim to provide opportunities to work from home or elsewhere and offer flexibility in working hours

- Comprehensive programme of learning and development

- Two days paid time off for volunteering

- Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes

- Employee counselling service

- Free eye tests (for some posts) and contribution towards the cost of glasses

- Cycle to work scheme

- Low-cost town centre parking (for some posts), depending on work location

- Commitment to employee wellbeing

- Access to a medical health benefits

To submit your application for this exciting Housing Options Officer opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now.