Lauren Berry

• Delivered Council's Housing Options Services, including Homelessness, Temporary Accommodation, Allocations and Lettings, and Housing Register.
• Responsible for management of four teams, including management and operational front line officers.
• Responsible for ensuring that all services and operations are delivered in accordance with the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Code of Guidance and the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.
• Responsible for meeting expected Consumer Standards in line with the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.
• Ensuring that all housing options services are aligned with the Council's strategic objectives.
• Responsible for statutory CORE and H-Clic returns to MHCLG.
• Creation of and Implementation of Council Policies and Procedures.
• Contributed to medium- and long-term financial planning while managing budgetary responsibilities.
• Leading high-performing housing options teams to provide effective services for vulnerable customers with complex needs.
• Engaged with partners and stakeholders to secure positive outcomes.

• Delivered Council's Housing Options Services with primary focus on management of Council's Housing Register and Allocations and Lettings.
• Oversight of disband of regional Choice Based Lettings Service to deliver independently.
• Delivered Council's Housing Options Services, including Housing Register and Allocations and Lettings.
• Responsible for management of two teams, including management and operational front line officers.
• Responsible for ensuring that all services and operations are delivered in accordance with the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Code of Guidance and the Homeless Reduction Act 2017.
• Ensuring that all housing options services are aligned with the Council's strategic objectives.
• Responsible for statutory CORE returns.
• Creation of and Implementation of Council Policies and Procedures.
• Contributed to medium- and long-term financial planning while managing budgetary responsibilities.
• Leading high-performing housing options teams to provide effective services for vulnerable customers with complex needs.
• Engaged with partners and stakeholders to secure positive outcomes.

• Led operational management of Council's Temporary Accommodation service.
• Supervised line management to improve staff effectiveness.
• Managed financial aspects of Temporary Accommodation placements, ensuring cost efficiency.
• Optimised housing stock management to decrease void loss and rental loss.
• Monitored Health and Safety for staff and ensured thorough risk assessments on placements.
• Handled homelessness decision-making duties per relevant legislation.

• Collaborated with South Tyneside Homes to deliver strategic objectives aligned with statutory obligations.
• Engaged with partners and stakeholders to drive project success - partners included Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), neighbouring partner Authorities, Local Registered Housing Providers (RPs).
• Led key initiatives including Fire and Building Safety, Rough Sleeping and Homelessness, and housing regeneration.

• Managed operational Council housing processes for tenancy terminations, allocations, and lettings.
• Operated Tyne and Wear Homes Choice Based Lettings system efficiently.
• Verified applications to ensure compliance with Council's Allocations Policy.
• Created tenancies while minimising void loss and associated income losses.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to promote sustainable tenancies and address customer needs.

Self-employed outdoor bootcamp instructor and personal trainer.

• General day to day housing management including estate environmental issues, and rent and income management.
• Handled eviction proceedings within legal guidelines; ensuring fair treatment of all parties involved.
• Assisted in the development of neighbourhood initiatives such as residents groups and residents meetings to promote better relationships between tenants and the Organisation.
• Worked in collaboration with South Tyneside Council on regeneration initiatives to allocate homes.
• Responsible for voids and allocations of homes.
• Developed strong partnerships with social services and partner organisations to assist vulnerable tenants effectively.
• Fostered positive relationships with local agencies for improved community engagement.

• Developed strong partnerships with partners such as local authorities, charities and social services organisations to assist vulnerable tenants effectively.
• Mediated disputes between tenants, resulting in a peaceful living environment.
• Attending multi-agency meetings with support providers to ensure adequate delivery of services in line with service level agreements.
• Resolution of housing related disputes, leading to better understanding between tenants and service providers.
• Managed rent arrears cases, helping tenants devise repayment plans thus reducing overall debt levels in properties managed.
• Engaging with tenants and service providers to support vulnerable households to sustain independent living.

• Managed operational housing for leasehold stock, overseeing rent and income management.
• Set service charges and processed staircasing applications efficiently.
• Pursued legal action to recover unpaid ground rent charges as necessary.
• Conducted building and estate checks with residents and contractors.
• Resolved ongoing neighbour disputes through effective communication.
• Handled complaints promptly to enhance resident satisfaction.