Accommodation Officer

Seven Resourcing are looking for an Accommodation Officer to work in Maidstone. This position is initially for a period of 4 months and is paying between £13.40ph PAYE or £16.40ph Umbrella.  This role is full time Monday to Friday 8:35am -5pm.

The role:

To provide effective operational and administrative support to the Accommodation Resource Team across the three strands of the team, 1) Home finders 2) temporary accommodation bookings and moves and 3) the direct lets via the housing register plus supporting the wider Housing and Inclusion team.

The post holder must be able to communicate to homeless households, both face-to-face and over the telephone including the ability to consider what type of service and/or accommodation would be most suitable for them and explaining how the process of temporary accommodation works, in line with relevant legislation. 

Key Responsibilities:

To provide advice both face-to-face and over the telephone to customers approaching the Council for housing support and assistance in terms of temporary accommodation, and booking appointments for the team where appropriate.

To provide effective support within the Accommodation Resource Team, including minute taking, photocopying, scanning, filing, general data input, use of excel spreadsheets, and production of reports etc.

To accurately record information on the Humme and Anite housing and CRM systems.

To assist the Accommodation Resource Officers with placements by contacting providers for vacancies, and inputting placements onto Hume.

To assist with securing private rented accommodation for households by liaising with Estate Agents and landlords to obtain required certificates and information and uploading these to Hume.

To assist with securing supported accommodation by referring applicants to a range of supported accommodation projects.

To liaise with applicants and Social Landlords as necessary to assist with direct let nominations e.g. checking former tenant arrears, chasing nominations, updating PHPs on suitability needs.

To assist in finding private rented accommodation via online searches and ringing estate agents and landlords.

To have a good knowledge of the funding options, such as DHPs, Homefinder Scheme and welfare and hardship fund, available to customers who approach the council as homeless or at risk of homelessness. To assist customers in applying for this funding to enable their move on.

To contact customers to chase proofs and evidence needed for   joining the housing register, direct let nominations and suitability etc.

To assist the team in promoting all housing options, especially alternatives to social housing, including private rented properties, room shares, promoting the Homefinder rent deposit bond scheme and supported accommodation referrals.

To complete income and expenditure statements with customers in order to assist with assessing affordability.

To work with customers in temporary accommodation, to ensure they are placing bids through the Council’s Housing Register and searching for appropriate properties and to explain the consequences of not doing so.

Utilise IT systems to update and record information required according to guidance and established procedures. Ensure customer and management information is accurate and up to date at all times.

As a customer focused role, be able to communicate with our customers at the agreed level.

To undertake any training and development as required.

To contribute to the delivery of the Council’s priorities.

To comply fully with the Council’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

To comply fully with the Council’s Health and Safety at Work Policy.

To assist as required in the Council’s Emergency Plan.

To comply fully with the Council’s IT Security Policy.

To share the Council’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, complying with all safeguarding Policies.

To contribute to the Council’s emergency plan and respond as required to emergencies including working at rest centres outside of the normal working day.

Commitment to the Council’s Strategic Plan

To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.

Applicant Requirements:

Experience: 3 years’ experience in a similar role.

Compliance: 3 years references.

Travel: Clean UK driving license with the ability to commute to and from work independently.

Hours: 37 hours p/w.

Working with Seven Social Care:

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