The Housing Assessment/Tenant Liaison Officer will have an integral and substantial role in assessing and determining the accommodation need of applicants for social housing support together with the active and positive management its tenant relations/engagement.  It will include dealing with anti-social behaviour and the implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and the development and working with Resident Groups in Council Estates. 
 

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will form part of the Housing Services team and will report to the Administrative Officer or other appropriate supervisor/line manager.   The post holder will be based in the Housing Department (or any other premises as assigned in use by the Council) and will be required to work 35 hours per week.   Daily working hours may vary and may include post-normal office hours.  

Social Housing Supports
In respect of an applicant for social housing support or a transfer to another dwelling to undertake the following:
 

• To provide support to team members in the day-to-day issues arising out of application, including task and duties scheduling, prioritising work together with monitoring progress

• To invite each applicant for interview and manage the appointments process
• To determine eligibility in accordance with the legislative framework
• To assess the households need
• To classify the nature of the need
• To decide the most appropriate form of social housing support applicable
• To prepare an assessment report recommendation identifying the housing support suitable to meet the household needs and the points to be awarded for approval of the Administrative Officer
• To carry out an annual review of the household needs or when notified of a change in circumstances
• To provide input into the recommendations for allocation of social housing
• To update the records on the Council’s systems as required, keep necessary records, and compile relevant statistics
• To liaise with external agencies as required i.e., HSE, Gardaí, AHBs etc.
• To carry out ad hoc investigations/prepare various reports as requested by Administrative Officer or other appropriate Supervisor/Line Manager
• Provide advice to applicants as necessary

• Deliver pre tenancy training for all new tenancies created by the Council to include advice on their responsibilities viz-a-viz the Council’s responsibilities in relation to repairs, keeping of pets, matters relating to anti-social behaviour and the various rental payment options available and so on.
• To make the necessary arrangements to have Tenancy Agreements signed and keys handed out to the new tenant.
• Liaise with other statutory service providers and voluntary agencies with regard to specific circumstances and/or individual needs of tenants, as appropriate e.g. HSE, Tusla, Education Authorities, An Garda Siochana, Probation and Welfare Services, MABS.
• To investigate reports of complaints of anti-social behaviour in line with the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy or other breaches of tenancy in council dwellings including interviewing tenants, complainants, and witnesses.
• Prepare and serve warning letters, all notices, and instructions to Council legal advisor to commence legal proceedings and when necessary, attend in court to give evidence as required.
• Attend evictions and make the arrangements with other council staff for securing the dwelling.
• To inspect council houses as required to ensure that tenants are compliant with the terms of their Tenancy Agreement, prepare reports etc. and take the necessary action.
• To liaise with the technical staff and assist the operations/enforcement section of Council in the Control of Dogs, Waste and Litter Management issues and/or other section where issue arise pertaining to tenants.
• To investigate the illegal occupancy of Council houses and as appropriate follow the legal procedures required up to and including attending court to give evidence as required.

• To promote tenant engagement and facilitate the establishment of resident’s associations where required or support the activities of existing residents’ groups in the estate
• Actively deal with anti-social behavioural issues in line with the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy
• To mediate and liaise, where possible, on tenant and resident conflicts and seek to resolve disputes Develop and co-ordinate communication on cases and anti-social behaviour prevention with the An Gardaí Siochana, HSE, Túsla, other agencies and residents
• To engage with all residents at neighbour level in building local capacity and to empower neighbourhood communities to take the lead in building and promoting their local community
• Develop links between the residents with the council services to promote good estate management eg social inclusion units, waste management section etc.

• Maintain adequate records in accordance with the requirements of GDPR and update information systems as required
• Prepare and deliver reports for Administrative Officer or other appropriate Supervisor/Officer as requested.
• Will be required to hold a current Safe Pass Card.
• Will ensure a safe environment and implement all the Council’s health and safety requirements including using a lone worker device during working hours
• Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the local authority.

HR