Housing Advice & Homeless Prevention Officer

Housing Advice & Homeless Prevention Officer - £24 an hour

Location: Hillingdon (Office-based)Contract: 4+ Months ContractSalary: £24 per hour

We are recruiting on behalf of a local authority in Hillingdon for a proactive and compassionate Housing Advice & Homeless Prevention Officer to join their Housing Team. This vital frontline role involves providing expert advice and assistance to residents facing housing challenges, ensuring that those at risk of homelessness are identified and supported in a timely manner.

As the first point of contact for residents seeking housing advice, you will proactively manage cases, providing guidance on housing options, security of tenure, low-cost home ownership, and preventing homelessness. You will conduct statutory assessments, investigate household circumstances, and connect individuals with appropriate resources and services.

This is an office-based role, working directly with the public to ensure they receive tailored, high-quality housing support.

• Act as the first point of contact for housing-related queries, providing proactive, high-quality advice and assistance to residents in person, over the phone, and via e-transactions.

• Identify individuals at risk of homelessness within 56 days and provide appropriate housing options and support to prevent crisis homelessness.

• Conduct statutory assessments, investigate cases, and determine the best housing options available for each individual.

• Support residents in accessing housing benefits, welfare support, and Discretionary Housing Payments to delay or prevent homelessness.

• Collaborate with internal services and external partners to ensure seamless service delivery and support for residents.

• Detect and refer potential fraudulent applications to the Counter Fraud Team.

• Maintain accurate records in line with Council procedures and ensure data entry is completed promptly.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of housing services by identifying areas for service enhancement and promoting new ways of working.

You will have strong knowledge of housing legislation and experience in delivering housing advice. This is a fast-paced role that requires the ability to manage complex casework while maintaining a focus on delivering high standards of customer service.

You will also have:

• Extensive experience in housing advice, homelessness prevention, or a similar frontline role within the public sector.

• Knowledge of housing options, the Housing Act 1996, and local government services.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to support residents in challenging situations.

• A customer-focused approach, with an understanding of the importance of timely interventions.

• Proficiency in using IT systems to log and update customer data and service requests.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

• A team-oriented attitude with a proactive approach to problem-solving.