Housing Options Officer

Housing Options Officer

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support individuals and families facing homelessness with personalised advice and assistance.
  • Company: Join a dedicated team focused on making a difference in housing services.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Fast-paced role with the chance to develop critical thinking and communication skills.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by helping vulnerable people secure safe housing.
  • Qualifications: Experience in customer service and knowledge of housing legislation preferred.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

We are seeking a Housing Options Officer to join our homeless service at SCH, to deliver an efficient, high-quality, and customer focused Housing Options service, supporting individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This is a key role in our Housing Options Team that will manage homeless cases from initial contact to conclusion and determine and apply legislative requirements under the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.

You will complete assessment of housing needs, provide personalised advice and assistance, and help where required to secure both temporary and permanent accommodation. You will be integral in our homeless prevention and relief efforts ensuring clients receive the guidance and resources necessary to overcome housing challenges.

You will have strong investigative and critical thinking skills, with the ability to gather evidence, verify information and make timely defensible decisions. You will need to be able to complete case management and build relationships with vulnerable service users.

We are looking for someone who is experienced in a fast paced high demand front line customer service environment, preferably in a Homelessness or Housing Options Service, who has a thorough understanding of tenancy rights, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and who offers a strong commitment to the delivery of an excellent Housing Options service.

If you are a confident communicator and skilled at handling difficult conversations and de-escalating conflict or confrontation with people in crisis, this may be the opportunity for you.

For more information, please refer to the full job description attached to this advert. For an informal chat, please call Christy Selman, Housing Options Team Leader on 0121 717 1515. Expressions of interest are welcomed from all internal candidates. Interviews will be prioritised to those affected by the SCH Management of Change proposals.

For this role, please click on the below link and provide a supporting statement that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification attached. Essential criteria must be met to be considered for an interview. Interviews will be face to face only and w/c 13th July 2026.

Housing Options Officer employer: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

At SCH, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for our Housing Options Officers. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for career advancement, all while making a meaningful impact in the community by assisting individuals and families facing homelessness. Located at Endeavour House, our team thrives on collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every staff member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission of providing high-quality housing solutions.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Contact Details:

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Housing Options Officer

Get Involved Locally

Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Tap into Professional Networks

Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Showcase Your Commitment

When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

Utilise Online Platforms

We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Apply directly through us to stand out!

We think you need these skills to ace Housing Options Officer

Customer Service Skills
Case Management
Knowledge of Tenancy Rights
Understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
Understanding of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Investigative Skills
Critical Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.

Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.

Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Housing Options Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.

Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.

How to prepare for a job interview at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Show Your Passion for Social Change

When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.

Highlight Project Experience

We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.

Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices

Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!