Key Details
Job Title: Housing Options Officer / Homelessness Officer
Sector: Local Authority Housing / Homelessness Prevention
Pay: £29.35ph umbrella
Hours: 37 per week
Contract: Temporary, 17 weeks
Start: 14 September 2026
Role Purpose
You'll provide front-line housing advice, homelessness prevention support and housing options assessments for applicants who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
Key Responsibilities
Provide housing advice on homelessness prevention, housing options, tenancy rights and security of tenure.
Assess homelessness applications and support applicants under relevant housing legislation.
Manage a busy housing caseload with accurate case notes, evidence and applicant records.
Identify practical housing solutions, including prevention, relief and move-on options.
Liaise with landlords, housing providers, local authority teams and external support agencies.
Communicate clearly with applicants by phone, email and letter.
Support vulnerable applicants with inclusive, person-centred and outcome-focused advice.
Essential Skills and Experience
Experience as a Housing Options Officer, Homelessness Officer, Housing Needs Officer or similar.
Strong local authority housing, homelessness prevention or housing advice experience.
Knowledge of homelessness assessments, applicant interviews and housing legislation.
Excellent case management, negotiation and customer service skills.
Confident working with vulnerable people and managing challenging conversations.
Highly organised, accurate and able to manage a busy caseload.
Fluent English, in line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016.
A level standard or equivalent knowledge to NVQ Level 4.
Desirable Knowledge
Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Suitability Order 2012, landlord and tenant law, and security of tenure.
Housing options, homelessness relief, prevention duties and supported accommodation pathways.
Data protection, equality, diversity and safeguarding awareness in a housing advice setting.
Partnership working across housing, social care, voluntary sector and local authority services.
Why Apply?
This is a great opportunity for a housing options professional to support homelessness prevention, deliver quality housing advice and improve outcomes for residents across Somerset.
How to Apply
Apply today with your updated CV if you have experience in housing options, homelessness prevention, housing advice or local authority housing services.
DBHRSolutions is acting as the employment agency for this vacancy. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates
Salary description
£29.35 - £29.35 per hour