Housing Officer – Supported Accommodation in Coventry

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

The Housing and Homelessness Service is a very busy environment and faces several challenges to meet the housing needs of citizens of Coventry. The team have grown significantly during the last 12 months and this reflects the fact that Housing & Homelessness are now a key council priority. The team are responsible for the delivery of the following service functions:

• Provision of the statutory homeless service
• Provision of temporary accommodation
• Management of the housing register
• Co-ordination of support to citizens rough sleeping
• Commissioning of homeless services
• Responsibility for housing strategy

By becoming part of an expanding team who are focused on preventing households from becoming homeless as well as providing tailored support and interventions when someone does become homeless, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our city.

We've expanded our Supported Accommodation service and are looking for a proactive, solution-focused Housing Officer to join our growing team. This is a Housing Officer role, not a Support Worker or Support Assistant position. While you'll work closely with support providers and people experiencing homelessness, your focus is on managing temporary accommodation, sustaining tenancies, resolving housing issues and helping customers move into permanent accommodation.

You’ll manage a caseload of supported accommodation properties across the city, ensuring homes are safe, well managed and occupied efficiently. Working alongside partner agencies, you’ll take ownership of tenancy management, property standards, neighbourhood issues and customer outcomes, balancing the needs of individuals with the effective management of the accommodation. No two days are the same. You could be carrying out property inspections, meeting new customers, responding to anti-social behaviour, coordinating repairs, completing tenancy sign-ups, attending multi-agency meetings or supporting customers through the move-on process into settled housing. This is a varied, fast-paced and reactive role that requires confidence, sound judgement and the ability to make decisions while managing competing priorities.

Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm and 11:30am - 7:30pm. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential as you’ll travel between accommodation sites across the city. Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We're looking for someone who enjoys solving problems, building professional relationships and delivering excellent housing services in a challenging but rewarding environment:

• Manage a varied caseload and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Build positive working relationships with customers, support providers and partner agencies.
• Confidently manage tenancy, property and neighbourhood issues.
• Communicate effectively, even in difficult or sensitive situations.
• Make informed decisions and use your initiative to resolve problems.
• Negotiate, influence and advocate to achieve positive housing outcomes.
• Remain resilient and professional when dealing with challenging situations.
• Maintain accurate records and work confidently with housing systems.
• Learn and apply housing legislation, policies and procedures.

Experience of housing management, tenancy management, homelessness, social housing or a related housing environment would be advantageous. If you’re looking for a role where you’ll have a direct impact on helping people successfully move from temporary accommodation into settled housing while ensuring accommodation is safe, well managed and compliant, we’d love to hear from you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Members of the Armed Forces and veterans, those currently in care or have previously been in care, and those who consider themselves to be disabled or have a long-term health condition.

Interview date(s): 1st stage panel interviews will be held on Monday 7th September. Successful applicants will be invited to a 2nd stage assessment held on Thursday 10th September.

About Coventry: Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change. We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse. At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things. To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities. If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package.