Housing Supply Officer

Location

Southwark, Greater London | United Kingdom

Job description

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

· To deliver an efficient, high quality and customer focussed service for a diverse client group including high numbers of vulnerable and disadvantaged households.

· To achieve targets to procure properties in the private rented sector for the council to use for temporary accommodation, homelessness prevention, or discharging a housing duty.

· To lead on the prevention and relief duties in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 by ensuring that customers are rehoused in suitable and affordable private rented sector accommodation.

·  To lead on the corporate procurement of all temporary accommodation for Adult and Children’s services, Housing and Modernisation the Mental Health service.

Key Duties/Accountabilities:

· To allocate temporary accommodation for homeless applicants and control all activities leading to admissions and discharges in order to achieve both a high degree of customer satisfaction and the most efficient and economic use of available accommodation.

· To work as part of a team in delivering day to day activities of the placement section. Ensure all clients requiring temporary accommodation are placed.

· To identify available temporary accommodation for homeless households, visit new Temporary accommodation to establish a working relationship and service standard with other accommodation providers.

· Initiate, develop and maintain working relationships with private sector suppliers including estate and lettings agents to procure private rented sector properties for a wide variety of housing schemes.

· Promote and sell Council schemes by organising and coordinating regular publicity events, including the Landlords Forum. Producing leaflets, mail shots and any other appropriate information.

· Advise individual landlords on all available options for letting their properties via the Council. Promote the benefits of working with the Council with landlords and private sector suppliers.

· Maintain a database of all landlords who have enquired into letting their property to the Council and follow up and encourage them to supply properties. Maximise the conversion of properties from initial enquiries through to lettings.

· Inspect properties which are to be procured for Council managed or supported schemes both prior to acquisition and at the point of hand back; assessing any dilapidation costs.

· To pre-inspect properties when necessary and ensure that the managing agents / landlords comply with the requirements of lease or management agreement.

· To ensure all leased property documentation insurances and certificates are obtained and verified prior to use.

· Ensure effective implementation and administration of all new acquisitions, initiatives and contract administration ensuring effective planning, resourcing and delivery across the service.

· Monitoring of all service provider contracts to deliver the objectives required from various service delivery contracts and proactively anticipate future needs as well as reacting to situations that arise.

Essential Experience Required:

· Experience in PRS and Temporary Accommodation acquisition is essential.

· Experience of dealing with welfare benefits and benefit cap is essential.

· Experience in dealing with landlords/ managing agents is essential.

· Some experience of dealing with relevant legislation including duties to accommodate under Housing Act 1996 Part VII, and an understanding of the statutory guidance on suitability of accommodation is essential.

· Experience working with health and safety legislation and undertaking/ monitoring risk assessments and housing inspections is essential.

Essential Qualifications Required:

· Knowledge of relevant housing legislation and guidance around homelessness and temporary accommodation, including housing benefit regulations is essential.

· Knowledge of Temporary Accommodation (TA) and the issues affecting people living in TA, their aspirations and vulnerability is essential.

Additional information to note:

· An enhanced DBS check is required for the role.

· Working hours: 36 hours per week.

Job tags

Salary