Housing Advisor

BBS Recruitment is an independent recruitment agency for transport and logistics sector, supplying to a variety of clients across UK.

We are currently recruiting a Housing Advisor for our client based in Kent.

The Housing Advisor will provide high-quality housing advice and support to individuals and families experiencing housing difficulties, helping applicants understand their housing options and access appropriate accommodation and support.

The postholder will be responsible for assessing and managing homelessness applications in accordance with Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), making appropriate enquiries, reaching lawful and evidence-based decisions, and ensuring applicants receive clear advice throughout their homelessness journey.

Key Responsibilities for Housing Advisor

Provide comprehensive, accurate and person-centred housing advice to individuals and households experiencing housing problems, including advice on homelessness, prevention, relief and alternative housing options.

Make appropriate enquiries into homelessness applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), gathering and assessing relevant information and evidence to determine applicants’ eligibility and statutory homelessness duties.

Make timely, lawful and well-reasoned homelessness decisions, including decisions relating to the prevention duty, relief duty, main housing duty, intentional homelessness and whether an applicant is in priority need.

Actively manage a caseload of applicants living in Temporary Accommodation (TA) while subject to the relief duty, ensuring that each case is progressed effectively and within statutory timescales.

Maintain regular contact with applicants throughout the homelessness process, ensuring they understand the actions required of them, the decisions being considered and the housing options available to them.

Work proactively with applicants to identify sustainable housing solutions and maximise opportunities to prevent or relieve homelessness, including exploring private rented sector, social housing and other suitable accommodation options.

Ensure that homelessness cases are progressed to an appropriate conclusion, including conversion to the main housing duty where applicable, or the making of appropriate decisions where an applicant is not in priority need, is intentionally homeless, or where another statutory duty comes to an end.

Ensure that casework is accurately recorded and that all relevant evidence, enquiries, decisions and actions are documented on the Council’s housing and homelessness systems.

Provide clear explanations of homelessness decisions and applicants’ rights, including information regarding review rights and any further housing options available to them.

Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of domestic abuse, recognising its impact on housing stability and homelessness and responding appropriately to applicants experiencing or fleeing domestic abuse.

Work collaboratively with specialist domestic abuse services and other internal and external agencies to ensure vulnerable households receive appropriate support, safeguarding and housing solutions.

Recognise the particular needs of households affected by domestic abuse and ensure that assessments and housing decisions take account of relevant risks, vulnerabilities and support requirements.

Contribute to reducing homelessness among households living in Temporary Accommodation, recognising that a significant proportion of the Council’s TA households are homeless as a result of domestic abuse.

Work as part of a wider Housing/Homelessness team to ensure a consistent, effective and customer-focused housing advice service is delivered to the local community.

Develop effective working relationships with internal Council departments, housing providers, landlords, support agencies and voluntary and community organisations to achieve positive outcomes for applicants.

Ensure all advice and decisions comply with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, Council policies, procedures and equality and safeguarding requirements.

Prioritise and manage competing demands effectively, ensuring that statutory deadlines and service standards are met.

Maintain professional standards of conduct and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and complex information.