Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Housing Officer for our client a government organisation in Barnstaple, Devon.

The successful post holder will provide timely high quality frontline housing related advice and assistance in order to maximise our customers’ housing opportunities.

Take action to prevent homelessness occurring, using the organisation agreed prevention policies. Investigate and make decisions in all aspects of homelessness applications.

This role is a temporary contract initially for 3 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working with 2/3 days in the office per week.

Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Attend to general service requests regarding advice and assistance.
• Assess the housing needs of our clients by office, telephone and home based interviews. Then provide advice to help them find acceptable solutions to their problems.
• Investigate service requests when clients present themselves as homeless or are threatened with homelessness. Use the organisation’s agreed homelessness prevention policies to prevent homelessness.
• Administer and carry out the organisation’s statutory obligations to people threatened with or are experiencing homelessness.
• Undertaking detailed interviews/enquiries to determine homeless applications and notifying applicants in accordance with the legislation, performance standards and Codes of Practice.
• Liaising with Temporary Accommodation Officers over the placement of homeless persons into temporary accommodation.
• Providing advice and financial assistance to help customers remain in their home, or assistance with obtaining accommodation privately.

Personal Requirements:

• Educated to at least HND/first degree level in housing or equivalent by experience.
• Hold full membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing or other appropriate institution.
• Sufficient technical and legal knowledge across the functions of homelessness prevention and homelessness to operate effectively. This will include mental health, drugs and domestic violence awareness, and understanding of welfare benefits and housing law in relation to immigration and young people.

Working Hours: 36hrs / Monday - Friday

Pay: £28.00 per hr

Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.