The housing profession is not just concerned with bricks and mortar; find out how a career in the industry could help make houses homes…
With four million people in the UK currently living in council housing and another 1.8 million on waiting lists, catering for those in social, temporary and rented accommodation is a mammoth task: and one indebted to the 150,000 employees in the housing industry.
This profession isn’t about estate agents however: even though it is dedicated to property, it’s very much about the people that live in social housing. Often those in state-supported accommodation are low-income families, or those with special needs, and so helping the house-dwellers becomes as important, if not more so, than the structures themselves (this is not to say house maintenance does not form an integral part of the industry though). What’s more, the economic downturn has seen more people turn to government-led housing provisions and rented accommodation, and so meeting this high demand has never been more essential.
Working in housing
The majority of opportunities in housing are provided by housing associations and local authorities, but there are jobs to be found, and careers to built, through a number of other avenues including: voluntary organisations, the private sector, housing trusts and public service departments (such as social services).
Managing and maintaining the five million homes (and those that live in them) owned by local councils and housing associations is carried out by a variety of employees: from those that work hands-on with tenants to those who form part of the numerous support functions that are a necessity for the efficient running of the industry (HR, marketing, IT and finance). Which of course means that there is not one type of person that suits employment in housing. Regardless of your role however, building a career in this area can leave you safe in the knowledge that you’re making a difference to people’s standard of living.
Of course, there are a host of positions located in the industry that are to be found across all sectors, such as administrative roles, IT support, accountants, and marketing managers – but if you’re looking for a housing-specific job or career, why not try these for size?
Housing Advice Officer
The role of Housing Advice Officer is one dedicated to assisting those applying for housing, and offering advice specific to their circumstances. Maintaining strong, healthy relationships between housing organisations and customers is integral to daily activities, and so this role – as a customer’s first port of call – demands attention to detail, a personable manner and an eye for problem solving.
Job requirements: Those looking to gain a job as a Housing Advice Officer will require A levels, or perhaps a degree or HNC (Higher National Certificate) in housing. Gaining hands-on experience will help, too: try volunteering in the industry, as this will ramp up your experience and grow your network. An in-depth knowledge of the housing industry – including nation-wide implications and political-level debates – will prove beneficial to your application. In addition, communications skills – both verbal and written – will form an integral element of such a position.
Arrears Officer
Keeping check of tenants’ rental payments is essential to ensuring a housing association’s rental income is regular. But of course problems may (and will!) arise, and some tenants may not be able to pay their rent for one reason or another, and this is where the Arrears Officer takes control. Legal action may be necessary to recover the arrears, and so liaison with customers, benefit and legal teams will be a regular occurrence.
Job requirements: To take on this role, generally applicants are expected to have two years’ experience in the housing industry. Of course, due to the legal and financial nature of the position, knowledge in these areas will put you in a strong position to become an Arrears Officer. You will need to have in-depth knowledge of Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, welfare rights and other relevant housing legislation.
Neighbourhood Advisor
In this role, you will responsible for a specific neighbourhood: getting to know, and building relationships with, those that live in that designated area. Duties are varied: from dealing with anti-social behaviour to assessing potential tenants, and for this reason working as a Neighbourhood Advisor allows you to build up experience in a number of areas of the housing profession.
Job requirements: Experience (a minimum of one year) is typically required for the position of Neighbourhood Advisor, as well as a HNC in housing or a Graduate Conversion qualification. Negotiation and communication skills are essential, as is of course strong knowledge of housing (specifically neighbourhood) management.
Qualifications
Apprenticeships As the professional body for the housing industry, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) offers a variety of qualifications available for those looking to get started in housing or further develop their career. For school leavers, apprenticeships are an ideal way to gain first-hand experience of the industry, as well as study for a relevant qualification at the same time. This could either be at intermediate level as a Housing Assistant or advanced level as a Housing Support Officer, and will provide both a NVQ Certificate in Housing as well as other related certificates. To find out more about apprenticeships in housing, head to www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Traineeships Many housing associations offer trainee schemes for graduates looking to enter the housing industry. These programmes – which may last one or two years – allow university grads to develop well-rounded experience and knowledge of housing whilst earning a competitive salary.
Conversion courses Don’t overlook applying directly for jobs either, but remember you will need to demonstrate an interest in, and passion for, the housing industry. If you feel that you could benefit from qualifying in the area, to improve your chances of gaining employment, there are “conversion courses” available, which graduates with unrelated degrees can study: try the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 Certificate in Access Housing, for instance.
Words: Jessie Bland
Image: Shutterstock
[This article was originally printed in Jobs & Careers with Hilary Devey magazine in November 2012]
The post Around the houses: working in housing appeared first on Jobs & Careers magazine.
