Homeless Accommodation Officer

Gloucester City Homes (GCH) is an ambitious, dynamic housing association with strong community roots. We are focused on building homes and communities where people can thrive and delivering valued services to our customers.

We are now seeking a Homeless Accommodation Officer to be responsible for the day-to-day management of our temporary homeless properties working in partnership with Gloucester City Council housing options team to deliver positive outcomes for our customers through a professional and supportive service.

You’ll be responsible for your own caseload and safeguarding referrals, working with colleagues to ensure GCH homeless properties are safe and well-maintained places to live. You’ll conduct inspections of homeless accommodation and take ownership of raising and checking the completion of activities related to the property, communal repairs, and neighbourhood cleanliness / condition. Approachable and accessible to customers, communicating openly and ensuring they are kept updated as appropriate, you’ll provide support with the management of key issues, such as fire safety compliance, and liaise with internal and external stakeholders to successfully deliver solutions for customers relating to their homeless accommodation and that support the successful move on to permanent housing.

We’d like you to…

• Have demonstrable experience of working with homeless and/or vulnerable people.
• Understand key issues faced by homeless people, adult safeguarding, identifying support needs and assessing risk.
• Have a good understanding of the problems associated with homelessness and the services and benefits available.
• Be able to communicate and negotiate effectively with homeless and vulnerable people, as well as a wide range of support services and agencies.
• Be able to give accurate and up to date advice, information, and support on a broad range of topics including Housing and ASB legislation, welfare benefit legislation and advice.
• Have experience of dealing effectively and pro-actively with clients, in difficult situations where it is not always possible to meet customers’ needs/wishes.
• Be IT literate, to include the use of PCs, mobile phones, digital cameras, and PDA’s, to gather, store and process information.
• Have current knowledge and understanding of Housing Law and its application within social housing, including experience of enforcement action.
• Have good understanding and up to date knowledge of homeless legislation and best practice and its implications for clients and housing organisations.
• Have good understanding of housing and property management, especially relating to license agreements and the legal remedies.
• Be a car user as travel is required between different sites

Closing Date: 3rd May 2023.

GCH reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.

GCH is committed to equal opportunities. We actively encourage applications from all sections of our community, particularly those with lived experience of our work.

We celebrate the diverse nature of our customers and colleagues, striving to develop diverse teams where everyone can be their authentic self through an inclusive, family friendly, flexible and fun culture. Our values of pride, quality, integrity and innovation are at the heart of what we do. So if this sounds like you, we’d be delighted to hear from you!