Housing Officer (Specialised Supported Housing)
The Opportunity:
We are seeking a resilient, customer-focused Housing Officer across Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Enfield and Harrow. In this role, you will report directly to the Head of Housing and provide expert, person-centred housing support to individuals living within Specialised Supported Housing.
Your primary focus will be assisting vulnerable tenants to maintain their tenancies and achieve independent living aspirations. You will take full responsibility for regional tenancy management, lettings, and vital Housing Benefit sign-ups, working closely with on-site care teams and external agencies to deliver a highly sympathetic and professional service.
Key Duties:
- Deliver a full regional tenancy management service, addressing complaints, resolving anti-social behaviour (ASB), and providing expert housing advice to scheme staff and tenants.
- Manage the complete lettings cycle, ensuring all allocations comply with policy and legislation, processing terminations, and preparing tenancy agreements and information packs.
- Coordinate the sign-up of new tenants, overseeing the complete submission, tracking, and backdate requests for Housing Benefit and council tax forms.
- Conduct proactive scheme visits at least annually to monitor individual tenant wellbeing, care needs, and risk assessments in collaboration with on-site care teams.
- Drive a customer-focused approach to meet performance targets, minimize void property times, and co-create strategic void plans for long-term vacancies.
- Liaise closely with local authorities, health services, social services, and surveyors during care planning, safeguarding issues, or maintenance reviews.
- Act as a technical expert for scheme staff regarding rents and benefits regulations, delivering localized training where required.
- Lead operational housing projects, track performance data, and assist the Head of Housing with third-party Management Agreements and Lease reviews.
Requirements:
- Experience: Essential previous experience working within a housing association in a similar role, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality housing management services.
- Knowledge: Sound knowledge of Housing Benefit regulations, compliance frameworks, and an understanding of the Supported Housing sector or Intensive Housing Management models.
- Qualifications: CIH Level 3 qualified (or holding equivalent relevant housing management qualifications) is highly desirable.
- Skills: Excellent communicator with a "can-do" attitude, robust stakeholder management skills, and a passionate commitment to putting tenants at the heart of the service.
- Core Competencies: Confident at lone working and making independent decisions, with the ability to maintain strict data confidentiality and adhere to health and safety practices.
- Mobility: Ability to operate flexibly as a field-based officer across North London, with a willingness to undertake occasional travel to the main head office in Leicester for meetings and training.
How to Apply:
Please apply for this role online or contact Matt Baird at Avalon for a confidential discussion.
Avalon, trading name of Spirehouse Recruitment Limited, is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency. We practise a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all individuals.
