Allocations & Applications Officer

We're looking for an experienced and customer-focused Allocation & Application Officer to deliver a responsive housing allocations and applications service for Birmingham City Council. You'll provide specialist advice and information on the Council's Housing Allocation Scheme and housing registration process, assessing applications and making fair and accurate decisions in line with legislation, statutory requirements and Council policies. You'll also manage the shortlisting, allocation and matching of properties through the Council's letting system. Working closely with customers, colleagues and external partners, you'll ensure applications are assessed thoroughly, appropriate support properties are allocated efficiently and transparently. You'll also contribute to the ongoing development of the Housing Solution & Support Service and its approach to delivering effective housing solutions. What you'll be doing

• Assess and manage housing applications using a case management approach, determining customer eligibility and qualification for the Council's Housing Allocation Scheme and communicating decisions within agreed statutory and service timescales.
• Provide specialist advice and information to customers, colleagues and external stakeholders on the Housing Allocation Scheme, housing registration process, eligibility and allocation requirements.
• Manage the shortlisting, allocation and matching of properties, ensuring suitable lettings are made within appropriate timescales and in accordance with the Council's Allocation Scheme and relevant legislation.
• Conduct enquiries, investigations and customer background checks, gathering and analysing information from a range of sources to ensure housing applications and allocation decisions are accurate, fair and evidence based.
• Review and approve property adverts, monitor nomination acceptances and refusals, and support the administration of nomination agreements and associated processes.
• Identify customer vulnerabilities and safeguarding concerns, making appropriate referrals to support agencies while working collaboratively with statutory and voluntary organisations, commissioners, providers and the Private Rented Sector.
• Maintain accurate case records and supporting documentation, contribute to review and court case bundles, support service improvements and new housing solutions, and provide training and mentoring to colleagues where required.
  
  Significant experience of working within housing allocations, housing applications, homelessness or a related housing service, with a strong understanding of the needs of customers seeking accommodation.
• Extensive knowledge of housing and relevant homelessness legislation, case law, statutory guidance and housing allocation principles, with the ability to apply these effectively when making decisions.
• Experience of assessing housing applications and making eligibility, qualification or allocation decisions, with the ability to investigate complex circumstances and exercise appropriate discretion.
• Strong analytical and investigative skills, with the ability to assess information from multiple sources, identify relevant evidence and make fair, accurate and well-reasoned decisions.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex housing information clearly and sensitively to customers, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and IT skills, with experience of managing casework, maintaining detailed records and handling confidential customer information in accordance with data
  
  Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it's about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city., The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence.
There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:
• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.
We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that's being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision-making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long-term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well-being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.