Housing Options Officer

Housing Options Officer

Location: Maidenhead
Contract: 3 months with potential continuation
Pay: £20.16 PAYE / £26.25 umbrella

We are looking for an experienced Housing Options Officer to join a busy local authority housing service in Maidenhead.

This is an excellent opportunity for a knowledgeable housing professional to support residents facing difficult or uncertain housing circumstances. You will provide clear advice, explore practical housing solutions and help prevent homelessness wherever possible. You will also undertake statutory homelessness assessments and make sound, evidence-based decisions in accordance with housing legislation.

Working directly with customers, landlords, internal teams and partner organisations, you will manage a varied personal caseload while delivering a professional, sensitive and efficient service.

Key responsibilities

• Interview customers and complete detailed housing needs assessments.
• Explore all suitable housing options to prevent homelessness.
• Assess homelessness applications under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996.
• Make recommendations and decisions concerning homelessness duties, referrals and temporary accommodation.
• Provide advice on housing options, security of tenure, occupation rights, welfare benefits and the private rented sector.
• Support customers experiencing housing difficulties, including those at risk of homelessness.
• Investigate landlord and tenant disputes and seek resolution wherever possible.
• Gather evidence relating to harassment and illegal eviction cases.
• Prepare accurate statements, case records, reports and prosecution files where required.
• Maintain a well-organised caseload and meet service deadlines, performance targets and quality standards.
• Respond to enquiries and complaints relating to individual cases.
• Work closely with council departments, housing providers and other external agencies.
• Undertake outreach visits to locations including customers’ homes, hostels, hospitals and prisons.
• Deliver housing awareness or training sessions to colleagues and stakeholders when required.

About you

You will need substantial experience in housing needs, local authority lettings or an equivalent environment. You should have a comprehensive understanding of housing issues and government policy relating to homelessness, together with the ability to apply relevant legislation confidently in individual cases.

The role requires extensive experience of interviewing people who may be distressed, emotional or living in unsuitable conditions. You must be able to handle difficult situations calmly, sensitively and professionally.

You should also offer:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience of working with local authorities, housing providers or partner agencies.
• Strong judgement when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• The ability to analyse information and present findings in formal reports.
• Good caseload management, organisation and record-keeping skills.
• The ability to travel efficiently to locations around the borough.
• Four GCSEs, including English and Maths.
• A-level, NVQ Level 3 or an equivalent qualification.
• HND/NVQ Level 4 or relevant professional experience.
• A housing qualification, either completed or currently being studied.

Project management training, an NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service, a clean driving licence and the ability to drive a council vehicle would be desirable.

The post involves face-to-face customer contact, outreach work, travel around the borough, participation in a pre-arranged homelessness call-out rota and occasional attendance at meetings outside normal hours. A basic DBS check is required.

If you have strong housing options experience and can combine sound legislative knowledge with calm, practical customer support, we would be pleased to hear from you.