Accommodation Assessment & Lettings Officer

Lewisham


I am recruiting for a local authority who is looking for an officer to be responsible for the allocation of emergency temporary accommodation, setting up rent accounts and discharging interim and full housing duty.You will work within a team of officers and participate in a duty rota to fulfil the needs of the service. A good understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 is required along with experience with delivering a front-line service to vulnerable clients. You will serve as a point of contact for clients placed in emergency accommodation ensuring that appropriate offers of accommodation are made and all queries are responded to in a timely manner.


Job Role

To arrange emergency, temporary accommodation placements and make appropriate referrals into supported accommodation, ensuring all placements and referrals are carried out in a timely manner, making the best use of all available housing stock at all times.

To make offers of properties in line with Housing legislation and make robust decisions to discharge duty where necessary that will withstand legal scrutiny.

Arrange emergency accommodation on behalf of other Council services, including Children's Social Services and Adult Social Care as and when required.

Co-ordinate available properties in the private rented sector and in conjunction with Housing Caseworkers, identify highest priority households to be put forward for Direct Lets to prevent and relieve homelessness.

To ensure high quality offers, suitability and discharge of duty decisions are made in a timely manner relating to offers of properties (temporary accommodation & private rented properties)

To work proactively to find an appropriate housing solution to bring the Council's 'relief'/ full housing duty to an end.

Proactively contribute to the council's action plan to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation by monitoring and maximising move on opportunities from temporary accommodation and supported housing.