Location
Hounslow

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£43,680 per annum

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Homelessness, Independence and Preventative Service, which adopts a preventative approach across housing, health and social care agendas. Your primary focus will be to provide practical interventions and support to resettle individuals and families to enhance their ability to live independently. You will work within a busy and evolving team at the centre of the Council’s response to homelessness, helping to reduce the use of temporary accommodation and achieve more upstream prevention outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include increasing the supply of private rented and temporary accommodation for residents who are homeless or threatened with homelessness under various property procurement schemes. You will carry out property inspections to ensure landlords and agents meet decent homes standards, manage tenancy sign-ups across different tenures, and provide a vetting and letting process to private landlords. You will arrange viewings and support homeless households in accepting accommodation in the private sector in discharge of the Council’s housing duties.

You will ensure all accommodation complies with relevant standards and legislation, that supporting documentation is obtained and recorded, and that private rented tenancies are affordable and suitable for prospective tenants. This role requires professionalism, energy, enthusiasm, and the ability to learn and develop knowledge relevant to the role. You must be able to travel independently around the Borough to carry out home visits and meet residents and professionals in community settings.

About Us
We are the London Borough of Hounslow, an outstanding council serving one of London’s most diverse boroughs. Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to residents and improving lives. With visionary leadership, a dynamic Cabinet, and a can-do culture, we have built strong partnerships to transform how we serve our community.

We live by five core values: Lead with Heart, Do New, Pass on the Power, Harness the Mix and Be a Rock. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of all we do. We serve a diverse community, have a diverse workforce, and are committed to being an inclusive employer. We support reasonable adjustments for candidates as part of our Disability Confident Employer commitment.

If you join us, you will have access to a range of employee benefits designed to support your wellbeing and development.

Experience
- Proven experience successfully increasing the supply of accommodation for residents who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
- Experience working within homelessness or housing services is essential.

About You
- Excellent communication skills to engage effectively with a broad range of people, influencing, motivating, negotiating and persuading.
- Ability to build trusting relationships with complex individuals and professionals to empower residents to build resilience and maintain independence.
- Strong problem-solving skills to devise solutions to complex and contentious issues.
- High performing, collaborative team player who adapts to changing needs while achieving targets and service objectives.
- Exceptional negotiation skills.
- Ability to travel independently around the Borough to carry out home visits and attend community meetings.
- A current driving licence is preferred but not essential.

Qualifications
- Basic DBS check is required for this role.