Benefits and Homeless Prevention Officer

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

Our Benefits and Homeless Prevention Service has responsibility for all areas of homelessness; from rough sleeping to housing allocations as well as the assessment of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and the Here to Help Service. This innovative approach is helping us provide a more joined up service and more focused support for those in Hackney that are at risk of homelessness.

At Hackney, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is stimulating, fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation. If you share our values and are ready to be part of

Whilst the Job Description is generic, it is important that candidates have an excellent and fully rounded experience of customer services and experience of supporting residents.

Downsizing and Rehousing Team (DARTeam)

– Rehousing and decant tenants on Regeneration Estate Programmes (ERP): Colville and Woodberry Down Estate which is on of the largest regeneration programme in Europe

– Rehousing homeless applicants residing in TA on Regeneration Estates

– Supporting social housing tenants who are under occupying to downsize

– Rehousing care leavers and foster carers in the Borough

– Assisting tenants who apply to move via Mayor of London Housing Mobility Schemes; Seaside & Country Homes

– Rehousing tenants under Hackney’s Local Lettings Policy – ‘Keeping Communities Together’ which gives opportunities to local tenants to move into new homes being developed on their Estates or locations in close proximity of the Estate

– Rehousing tenants into new homes via the Housing Supply Programmes (HSP)

Lettings Team

– Advertising social housing properties for Hackney Housing, Tenant Management Organisations and Registered Providers

– Providing nominations and shortlisting applicants/tenants to properties advertised

– Providing data for the Lettings Plan

– Regularly liaising with Hackney Housing, Tenant Management Organisations and Registered Provider Voids Teams, Property Services, Housing Management to meet KPI for void turnaround times

– Supporting residents with bidding issues

This post is subject to a satisfactory Standard DBS check

The DART and Lettings Team work hybrid (i.e. work in an office up to 2 days a week). However, there will be occasions where you will be required to carry out home visits, attend viewings and tenants drop in sessions

The following criteria is essential for these post:

– Experience in delivering excellent customer services

– Partnership working

The following criteria is desirable for the post:

– Tenancy management

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 16 March 2026 (22:59)

Interview date: W/C 30 March & 07 April 2026

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk