Housing Rights Worker

The Housing Needs Service is integral in effectively preventing homelessness and supporting service users into permanent and sustainable accommodation. The Housing Needs Service involves working collaboratively with other internal services, including the Resettlement Team, the Employment Service, the Housing Solutions Service and Passage House Assessment Centre, to assess the housing needs of service users and identify appropriate accommodation options.

This service is key part of the No Night Out service (NNO), an innovative model that provides rapid intervention and support for individuals at imminent risk of rough sleeping for the first time. Service users are provided with emergency accommodation, assessed by the Housing Needs Service and supported to view and sign up for Private Rented Sector properties within a target timeframe of 14 days. The Housing Needs Service works closely with the Resettlement Team to achieve successful outcomes within this prevention service.

The Housing Rights Worker will provide high-quality housing advice, advocacy and casework support to individuals and communities experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity or other housing-related problems. You will empower clients by delivering practical solutions and helping them understand and exercise their statutory rights, while contributing to the organisation’s objectives of preventing homelessness and improving access to safe, secure housing.

The Housing Rights Worker is required to:

• Prevent homelessness wherever possible by supporting clients to understand and exercise their legal and statutory housing rights.
• Provide specialist housing advice, advocacy and casework support to individuals experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity or housing-related difficulties.
• Working collaboratively with the Intervention Worker’s caseload of clients, ensuring high-quality client-centred support.
• Represent and advocate on behalf of clients in dealings with landlords, local authorities and other statutory or voluntary agencies.
• Sourcing suitable accommodation options, including shared and private rented accommodation, particularly for single people under 35 affected by Shared Accommodation Rate restrictions.
• Empower individuals and communities by increasing awareness of housing rights, entitlements and available support services.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of housing advice services.

Main Duties

Housing Advice & Casework

• Provide advice on homelessness legislation, housing law, tenancy rights, housing debt and welfare benefits impacting housing affordability.
• Support under 35s to access sustainable housing solutions, addressing affordability barriers and landlord engagement.
• Assisting Housing Need workers with preparing clients for viewings, tenancy sign-ups and moving into accommodation.
• Identify and advocate on the client’s behalf to address concerns relating to property condition, safety and housing standards.
• Represent and advocate on behalf of clients in dealings with landlords
• Negotiate with landlords, housing providers and local authorities to prevent eviction or resolve disputes.

Partnership & Multi- Agency Working

• Build relationships with private landlords and letting agents to increase access to suitable shared housing and private rented accommodation for people under 35.
• Work creatively to overcome barriers faced by young single people in accessing accommodation
• Work proactively with landlords and letting agents to ensure they understand and adhere to their legal responsibilities, including tenancy management, notice procedures, and statutory obligations.
• Encourage early resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants to prevent escalation and homelessness

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Work collaboratively with community groups and partner organisations.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with local authorities, housing associations, supported accommodation providers, and voluntary sector partners.
• Participate in multi-agency meetings and case conferences.
• Empower individuals and communities by increasing awareness of housing rights, entitlements and available support services.
• Deliver workshops, information sessions and outreach activities to raise awareness of housing rights and housing options.​

Service Development

• Provide feedback on emerging housing trends affecting under 35s and other client groups.
• Assist with reporting and meeting service targets.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of housing advice services.
• Develop accessible information resources tailored to young people
• Promote good practice within the private rented sector and encourage responsible landlord engagement.