Housing Officer Grade H

• Lead Professionals is one of the teams responsible for the provision of the statutory homeless service at London Borough Council Tower Hamlets. For most homeless clients it is the first point of contact for those approaching the Housing Options Service.
  
• You will work alongside colleagues to meet the council s obligations under Housing Act 1996 as amended by Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
  

Knowledge of the duties owed to the homeless under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 as amended including Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Homelessness Act 2002. Knowledge of Landlord and Tenant Legislation, the Housing Act 1985 and 1988, the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, and knowledge of Family law and welfare benefits. Knowledge of the strategies for preventing homelessness and the main housing options initiatives, provided by both statutory and voluntary organisations. The ability to deliver homelessness prevention and housing option solutions with these being tailored to diverse communities and differing customer needs. The ability to work across boundaries in partnership with all housing sectors and partner agencies. The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to an excellent standard, giving advice and information sensitively and persuasively. The ability to negotiate both with homeless people and on their behalf to broker housing solutions. Experience of working in a busy customer-oriented environment, delivering excellent customer service. Excellent IT skills, with the ability to use a range of databases and MS Word and EXCEL to produce a wide range of letters and documents and MS Outlook to process the full range of email and diary functions. To understand welfare benefits and have a level of numeracy sufficient to give basic money and housing advice using available tools The ability to write robust s184 decision letters that challenges at review stage.