Housing Access Officer

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. In 2024 we embarked on our new 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Job Title: Housing Access Officer - known internally as Housing Procurement Officer

Location: Crisis Skylight London, 50 - 52 Commercial Street, E1 6LT. Maximum of two days per week working from home may be considered in line with Crisis' Hybrid Working Policy.

About the role

You'll join our London Wide Services at an exciting time, helping to deliver an outstanding pan London property access service across the private and social rented sector and contributing to the delivery of Housing First. Working alongside a variety of services across the organisation, you will identify housing opportunities, negotiate new partnerships, nurture existing relationships, and strive to establish routes into sustainable housing for people who have experienced homelessness by working with Landlords across London.

It's a role requiring a creative approach and strong negotiation skills as you partner with both Landlords and Crisis' Client Services. You will be responsible for bringing two sectors together and ensuring the interests of everyone involved are looked after, supporting the creation of tenancies that end people's homelessness. The role spans London, and you will work collaboratively with our services in Brent and Croydon to ensure tenants receive the support they need to sustain their homes. There is scope for development of the role and plenty of support. It's a fantastic opportunity!

Crisis has recently launched a brand-new lettings agency, in partnership with Homes for Good - Scotland's award-winning social enterprise letting agency. We envisage the housing access roles working closely with the new business.

About you

Understanding of housing law is essential along with the ability to develop, build and maintain key relationships.

Crisis is looking for a talented, motivated individual to join the Housing Access Team in London who wants to use their skills and experience working with landlords in the private sector, accessing accommodation to help end homelessness for the people we support.

With in-depth knowledge of the housing market in London, its unique challenges and opportunities, and possessing excellent interpersonal skills, you will support negotiations with landlords to access good quality affordable accommodation for our members. A thorough understanding of landlord's legal responsibilities is essential, coupled with insight into the needs of people experiencing homelessness and the challenges and stigma they face accessing good quality affordable accommodation.

A good understanding of the benefits system and how it relates to housing is key, along with an ability to work alongside colleagues directly supporting people experiencing homelessness to ensure they are supported into sustainable tenancies, so their homelessness is ended for good.

Please see the full Job Pack linked below for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis

Our values , Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We'll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
• 28 days' annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Flexible working
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly and more! (Full list of benefits available on website )

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

Closing date: Sunday 2 March :55

Interview process: Competency-based interview

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at Crisis Skylight London, 50 - 52 Commercial Street, E1 6LT