Tell us a little about what you do
Hi there, my name is Seamus. I am a Housing Officer. My duties are very varied and every day and hour is different! I’m here to ensure the neighbourhoods you live in feel like communities and that peoples’ homes are safe, secure, and well looked after. This can be anything from working with repairs specialists, mediating between neighbours who are having issues, or collecting arrears.
How did you become a Housing Officer?
I worked for almost a decade in the care sector. Whether that was rehabilitation, dementia care, or respite care for people with autism and learning disabilities. This gave me an interest in the social sector in general, particularly housing, as I saw it often informed the outcomes for those I supported.
In Glasgow, I joined the Wheatley Group Ignite Graduate Scheme. This was an access to housing sector scheme for those recently graduated. In that time, I worked in front line housing, repairs, customer engagement, and performance. This gave me a breadth of skill that allowed me to successfully apply to be a Housing Officer at Harbour Homes.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
There are numerous aspects of my job I enjoy. If I had to pick one, it would likely be the nitty gritty of front line customer work. I really enjoy being there for tenants and seeking solutions that are person centred and involve their input. This means that in a small way, I am helping customers to build decision by decision the ideal community they would want to live in. I find this immensely satisfying and just really care about talking to people about aspects of their lives that they want improved, then helping them see that change happen.
What is a common misconception people have about what Housing Officers do?
Many customers assume Housing Officers are responsible for repairs. This used to be true, but most housing associations usually have a team of housing repairs specialists or embed one for a group of Housing Officers. This means that, though Housing Officers have knowledge on repairs, it is housing repairs specialists who lead on this and keep us aware of more complex cases.
The most interesting thing a tenant has ever said to you?
A tenant’s daughter once said they would love for me to help find books they wanted to read, because the library didn’t have anything they were interested in. I assumed they would want to read Jacqueline Wilson or other age-appropriate books.
She showed me her cupboard which was full of books including Dickens. She had read all of these, and all the other books I suggested. So, I asked them what they wanted to read she said she would love to read ‘War and Peace’, but their local library didn’t have it.
I was taken aback, but I knew it was very important to the tenant’s daughter, so, because the housing association was involved in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, I brought her ‘War and Peace’ and the entire works of Shakespeare. She was over the moon about the book but said I could keep the Shakespeare because she had already read most of them anyway! I think this shows how every tenant or even family member is unique, and how going the extra mile can make a difference.
You mostly cover Leith, what’s your favourite thing about the area?
I am fairly fresh to Leith, but I already like it as an area. I am frankly blown away by the amount of great looking bakeries and charity shops. I have already been to Storries Home Bakery and Sloe Lane Bakery, which were both delicious. The area I stayed in when I lived in Glasgow was sorely missing these two things. You will probably be able to recognise me by good second-hand trousers and by my ever-expanding waistline!
In your experience, what makes a great community?
A great community is built from many aspects. I think my part is to ensure that people feel that they are living in quality housing that, more than just a roof over their head, encourages them to connect with the community they are in.
Regarding Harbour Homes, I think it is also to ensure we enrich and support the communities we are embedded in, and to get your feedback to help shape the community into what it wants to become.
I think a great community is vibrant, diverse, and actively tries to involve the individuals within it to make itself stronger and those people happier. I want to be small part in making that happen.
Our Housing Management Team is now the Neighbourhood Team. To check if your Housing Officer has changed, please click here.