Housing Options Officer
Are you a Housing Options Officer looking for your next assignment? Waltham Forest Council are looking for a Housing Options Officer to join their team on a contract basis, please see below!
Every day in Waltham Forest, people face the risk of losing their home. In this role, you won't just process cases; you'll change outcomes.
We're looking for experienced, resilient Housing Options & Assessment Officers who can think on their feet, make sound decisions, and work compassionately with residents in crisis. If you thrive in a fast paced environment and want your work to have visible impact, this could be the role for you.
About us
Waltham Forest is one of London's most dynamic boroughs; diverse, ambitious, and proudly resident-focused. We are driven by a clear purpose: to support our communities and deliver high-quality, modern services that make a difference. We're also a Good Work Standard employer, committed to fairness, wellbeing, and creating an inclusive environment where people can do their best work.
About the role
This is not a desk job; it's frontline, high impact work.
As a Housing Options & Assessment Officer, you'll manage a varied caseload of residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. You'll be responsible for assessing needs, making legally robust decisions and, crucially, identifying realistic solutions that prevent homelessness wherever possible.
You'll be working with residents who may be vulnerable, in crisis, or facing complex challenges. Success in this role requires confidence, sound judgement, emotional resilience, and the ability to stay focused under pressure.
What you'll be doing
This role is best suited to someone who already understands the realities of frontline housing work.
You'll need:
Are you a Housing Options Officer looking for your next assignment? Waltham Forest Council are looking for a Housing Options Officer to join their team on a contract basis, please see below!
Every day in Waltham Forest, people face the risk of losing their home. In this role, you won't just process cases; you'll change outcomes.
We're looking for experienced, resilient Housing Options & Assessment Officers who can think on their feet, make sound decisions, and work compassionately with residents in crisis. If you thrive in a fast paced environment and want your work to have visible impact, this could be the role for you.
About us
Waltham Forest is one of London's most dynamic boroughs; diverse, ambitious, and proudly resident-focused. We are driven by a clear purpose: to support our communities and deliver high-quality, modern services that make a difference. We're also a Good Work Standard employer, committed to fairness, wellbeing, and creating an inclusive environment where people can do their best work.
About the role
This is not a desk job; it's frontline, high impact work.
As a Housing Options & Assessment Officer, you'll manage a varied caseload of residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. You'll be responsible for assessing needs, making legally robust decisions and, crucially, identifying realistic solutions that prevent homelessness wherever possible.
You'll be working with residents who may be vulnerable, in crisis, or facing complex challenges. Success in this role requires confidence, sound judgement, emotional resilience, and the ability to stay focused under pressure.
What you'll be doing
- Assess housing needs and determine statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018
- Conduct detailed interviews (face-to-face and telephone) with residents in housing need
- Produce clear, compliant statutory decision letters and Personal Housing Plans
- Take proactive action to prevent homelessness, including engaging with landlords and agents
- Promote a full range of housing options including private rented solutions
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and partners to progress cases and remove barriers
- Maintain accurate records, manage data, and contribute to service performance
This role is best suited to someone who already understands the realities of frontline housing work.
You'll need:
- At least 2 years' experience in a busy Housing Options / Prevention & Assessment service
- Strong working knowledge of homelessness legislation and processes
- Confidence managing a complex caseload independently
- The ability to make sound decisions in challenging, time pressured situations
- Excellent communication skills, including handling difficult conversations with empathy and clarity
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- You're resilient; you can handle pressure without losing focus
- You're proactive; you look for solutions, not just processes
- You're committed; you want to make a genuine difference