Housing Options Officer

The Role

A Local Authority in the East Midlands is seeking an experienced Housing Options Officer to join their frontline service, delivering high-quality housing advice and homelessness prevention.

This is a fast-paced role where you’ll manage a caseload of applicants, assess housing needs, and work proactively to prevent homelessness in line with current legislation.

Locata experience is essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of applicants under Part 6 & Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017)
• Conduct assessments, issue decisions, and develop Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs)
• Provide tailored housing advice and homelessness prevention options
• Make legally sound decisions on duty, eligibility, priority need, and intentionality
• Use Locata to manage housing applications, allocations, and customer records
• Work closely with landlords, support services, and internal teams to secure sustainable housing solutions
• Prevent and relieve homelessness through early intervention and casework
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with legislation and internal procedures
• Participate in duty rota and respond to urgent homelessness cases

About You

You will be an experienced Housing Options Officer with a strong working knowledge of homelessness legislation and the ability to manage a demanding caseload.

You must be confident using Locata and able to hit the ground running with minimal training.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a Housing Options / Homelessness Officer role within a Local Authority
• Strong knowledge of Housing Act 1996 (Part 6 & 7) and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
• Hands-on experience using Locata for allocations and case management (essential)
• Experience issuing legally robust decisions and managing complex cases
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload in a fast-paced environment