Homelessness and housing work

Homelessness workers are volunteers or paid employees of charities and non-profit making organisations such as Crisis and Shelter that provide help for people that are homeless or who have housing problems.

What it involves

The job responsibilities of a homeless or housing worker and the amount of contact with the homeless vary according to the size of employer: in larger organisations staff can be mostly office-based, whereas those working for smaller employers may have frequent contact with the homeless. Typical duties include:

  • creating and maintaining mailing lists and databases of services for the homeless;
  • updating and providing information on hostel vacancies and housing rights;
  • assessing clients for any statutory rights they have;
  • making referrals;
  • ‘street' work;
  • liaising with appropriate voluntary and statutory agencies;
  • answering and responding to telephone calls;
  • undertaking mail-shots and publicity tasks;
  • sorting and pricing donated stock for charity shops;
  • arranging shop displays;
  • recruiting, training and managing employees and volunteers;
  • handling correspondence;
  • financial/accounts administration;
  • gathering and processing information from questionnaires and interviews;
  • liaising with volunteers/members of staff; undertaking research.

What's required

A proven commitment to the issues surrounding homelessness is more important than academic qualifications. Applicants who can demonstrate that they possess the relevant skills through voluntary/paid work experience are the ones who will beat the competition to the top jobs. A degree in any subject is helpful, particularly qualifications in finance, business studies, management, marketing, public relations or social administration. The work requires good communication, numerical, interpersonal, IT, organisational, teamworking and administrative skills. Resourcefulness and a flexible attitude are desirable attributes - employees must be willing to get involved in all aspects of the job.

Where to find out more

Vacancies are advertised via the internet, by careers services, in national and local newspapers and specialist publications such as The Big Issue. Local charities and volunteer bureaux can often provide work experience placements.

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