Job Description

Assistant Housing Needs Officer

Location: Southwark, Surrey
Rate: 22.78 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: Full Time Temporary
Hours: 36 Hours per Week

We are seeking an Assistant Housing Needs Officer to join a busy Local Authority Housing Needs team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with housing or homelessness experience to support residents facing housing difficulties while helping to prevent and relieve homelessness.

As part of a frontline team, you'll provide housing advice, assess residents' circumstances, contribute to Personalised Housing Plans, and work with partner agencies to secure positive housing outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver housing advice, homelessness prevention and housing options support.
• Carry out housing needs assessments and contribute to Personalised Housing Plans.
• Support statutory homelessness investigations and decision-making.
• Prepare accurate correspondence, decision letters and case records.
• Help residents access housing through allocations and choice-based lettings.
• Work closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver effective housing solutions.
• Support tenancy sustainment and signpost residents to appropriate support services.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with housing legislation and council policies.

Essential Requirements

• Experience working within Housing Needs, Homelessness, Housing Options or a similar housing environment.
• Knowledge of housing legislation, including the Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Excellent communication, customer service and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and produce high-quality written correspondence.
• Good IT skills and experience using case management systems.
• A proactive, organised approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What's on Offer

• 22.78 per hour Umbrella
• Full-time, 36-hour working week.
• Temporary Local Authority contract.
• Opportunity to gain valuable experience within a busy Housing Needs service.
• Supportive team environment with opportunities to develop your housing career.

If you're passionate about helping residents access safe, suitable accommodation and have experience in housing advice or homelessness services, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today! For more information, contact Natasha Haddon.