Marks Consulting Partners are currently looking for a Housing Options Officer to work with one of our Local Authority clients in Hertfordshire.
What the Job Will Be Doing
* Managing a caseload of homelessness and housing options cases, providing tailored advice and support to residents
* Assessing homelessness applications in line with the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
* Completing prevention, relief and main duty assessments, ensuring all statutory duties are met
* Producing Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs) and working proactively to prevent homelessness
* Negotiating with landlords, agents and support providers to secure positive housing outcomes
* Providing advice on a wide range of housing options, including private rented accommodation, social housing and supported housing
* Making legally robust homelessness decisions and issuing Section 184 decision letters
* Working closely with internal departments and external agencies to deliver effective housing solutions
* Managing complex cases involving vulnerable households, safeguarding concerns and domestic abuse
* Maintaining accurate case records and ensuring statutory deadlines and performance targets are achieved
* Responding to customer enquiries, complaints and Member enquiries in a professional and timely manner
What You Will Need
* Experience working as a Housing Options Officer within a Local Authority
* Strong knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
* Experience completing homelessness assessments, prevention and relief duties, and Personalised Housing Plans
* Ability to make legally sound homelessness decisions and produce high-quality decision letters
* Experience managing a high-volume caseload within a target-driven environment
* Excellent communication, negotiation and customer service skills
* Experience working with vulnerable households and complex homelessness cases
* Knowledge of housing management systems such as Locata, Jigsaw, NEC or similar
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands