Housing Assistant

Location: Lewes base, covering Brighton and East Sussex

Salary: £25,663 per year plus £1,000 essential car user allowance

Hours: 37 hours per week

What you’ll be doing:

As a housing assistant, you’ll support our tenants across Brighton and East Sussex with their property maintenance needs, tenancy management issues, fire safety alarm testing, building compliance checks and low-level arrears. You’ll support both remotely and in person, regularly visiting tenants in their own homes and tailoring solutions to individual tenants.

We’re looking for an organised and customer focused individual, who will make a positive difference to Southdown’s tenants. In return, we offer a rewarding job where no two days are the same and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn and develop.

We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in roles such as Housing Officer, Supported Housing Assistant, Accommodation Assistant, Tenant Support Officer, Customer Service Advisor, Customer Service Assistant, Teaching Assistant, people with transferrable skills looking for a positive change. However, this is not essential and full training will be provided.

“One of the most uplifting and satisfying jobs I have done, helping people making a positive difference for them” - Kristian, Housing Assistant

Southdown provides a range of affordable housing, from temporary accommodation to more permanent homes. As a supported housing landlord, we help tenants manage their tenancies and maintain their homes, with specialised learning disability support also available to residents. Recognised as the UK’s Best Supported Housing Landlord at the 2024 Affordable Housing Awards, we are proud of our 99.8% compliance with the Decent Homes Standard across our 502 properties, ensuring all tenants have safe, warm and well-maintained homes.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

What you need for the role:

• Customer-focused with excellent communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience using a database
• Attention to detail, able to maintain accurate records
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown
• A Full Driving Licence is essential along with access to your own car or a car insured for you, and you’ll need to obtain business insurance as you’ll be required to visit tenants in their own homes

What would be nice:

• Knowledge of the social housing sector, including health and safety and safeguarding protocols
• An understanding of landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities
• Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs

Training:

Our award winning in house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form. The application closing date is 15th May 2025 and interviews will be held on 29th May 2025. Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.