Homelessness Prevention essment Officer

45 months contract with a Southeast London based Local Authority.

Job Summary:

To provide a comprehensive high quality homeless prevention support and advice service to all households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

To provide an assessment service to customers presenting to the Council to ascertain what duties are owed to them by the authority and what alternative housing options are available to them.

To demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Homelessness legislation and case law coupled with handson experience of preventing homelessness and making statutory decisions.

To develop specialist knowledge and skills in relation to customers required to enable the delivery of a flexible and responsive housing needs service that can effectively meet changing demands and customer pressures.

To keep up to date clear accessible and accurate casework and data records and report on performance as required.

Key Duties/Accountabilities:

To prevent and resolve homelessness within the borough through the provision of confidential and impartial advice and information to customers approaching the Housing Needs Service about their housing rights and obligations under legislation and Council policy either in Council offices or other locations as required.

To actively and positively promote and deliver the Council s homeless prevention agenda identifying appropriate housing options and utilizing the prevention tools available such as DHP for customers that will resolve their accommodation problems and reduce the need for the provision of temporary accommodation within agreed timeframes.

To provide advice to customers in respect of the Council s obligations under PtVI and PtVII of the Housing Act 1996 the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Localism Act 2011.

To fully investigate the circumstances of customers presenting to the Council as homeless and to determine in accordance with current legislation case law and the Code of Guidance 2006 what duty the authority owes to them and to issue legally robust S184 decision letters accordingly.

To investigate landlord and tenant disputes including allegations of harassment and illegal eviction within the meaning of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and Protection from Harassment Act 1997 intervening and negotiating with all parties as required to prevent homelessness.

To provide information about debt counselling and money advice services to customers in rent or mortgage arrears including advice on the availability of welfare benefits and prioritizing debts referring people to the DWP Housing Benefit Service or CAB as appropriate.

Essential Experience Required:

Must have three years statutory homelessness experience.

Thorough knowledge of the legislation and duties owed to homeless persons by the Council under Part V1 and Part V11 of the Housing Act 1996 Homelessness Act 2002 & Localism Act 2011.

Knowledge of the duties owed to young people under the Childrens Act 1989 Detailed and extensive knowledge of the Code of Guidance issued by the Dept for Communities & Local Government for local authorities 2006 Detailed and up to date knowledge of all relevant case law pertaining to homelessness and its application.

Knowledge of Landlord & Tenant Legislation the Housing Act 1985 and Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

Detailed working knowledge of homeless prevention initiatives and their application and effectiveness Detailed working knowledge of the welfare benefit system and its application.

Detailed working knowledge of other agencies both statutory and voluntary providing relevant advice and assistance to customers under alternative legislation and in all forms of tenure.

A detailed understanding and application of the terms and conditions contained in the range of tenancy agreements across all tenures S Knowledge of the housing problems faced by an inner London borough.

Experience of composing and issuing detailed and legally robust S184 decision letters in line with the duties owed to customers under the homelessness legislation.

The closing date for this position is Wednesday 25/09/2024.