Derek’s Story – Buying their forever home
In June, Derek and his family faced a difficult situation. They received a notice to quit the home they loved—a home that met all their needs and had become a safe and stable place for their family. Unsure of their options and worried about what lay ahead, they reached out to Housing Options Scotland for guidance.
Their ultimate hope was to remain in their current home, especially since the landlord had expressed interest in selling it to them. However, like many families in similar situations, they weren’t sure if buying the property was even a possibility.
After an initial conversation with their Housing Options Scotland broker, the family was connected with a trusted financial advisor. Together, they explored a range of mortgage options and discovered that purchasing their home might actually be within reach. With newfound clarity, they began narrowing down the choices that could work for them.
Now, the family is exploring various home ownership schemes and has asked for continued support from HOS as they navigate this complex process. Their dedicated broker will be by their side every step of the way, offering tailored advice and encouragement.
Without the intervention of Housing Options Scotland, Derek and his family might never have known that buying their home was possible. Instead of facing the uncertainty of homelessness, they’re now on a hopeful path toward securing long-term stability in a place they already call home.
Finding a Way Forward: Claire’s Journey to a More Accessible Home
For Claire, everyday life had become increasingly difficult. As her disability progressed, leaving her home became a major challenge. While the inside of her home had been her front door were impossible to navigate and couldn’t be changed.
Realising she needed a more accessible living situation, Claire got in touch with Housing Options Scotland for advice and support.
In her first conversation with her dedicated housing options broker, Claire shared her concerns and her desire to explore alternative housing. After talking through the available options, Claire decided to pursue a move through social housing.
Her broker provided tailored guidance on mutual exchanges, applying to additional housing associations, and sent over a mandate to check in on her existing housing applications. Claire explained that she had been trying, without success, for several months to contact her housing officer to update her application and ensure her medical needs were properly considered.
Once the signed mandate was returned, her broker stepped in and was able to reach Claire’s housing officer directly. They worked together to update her application, including the medical evidence that had previously been missing. As a result, Claire’s housing application was reassessed and awarded a much higher medical priority banding, giving her a far better chance of finding a home that suits her needs.
Without the intervention of Housing Options Scotland, Claire’s application might have remained unchanged—potentially leaving her stuck in unsuitable housing for much longer.
Her broker will continue to support her throughout the process, helping to ensure that her medical needs are clearly communicated in any future applications, and standing by her side as she takes the next steps toward a safer, more accessible home.
Supporting Janie’s Transition to Accessible and Sustainable Housing
After spending nearly a year in hospital due to a serious injury and receiving additional medical diagnoses, Janie was faced with the difficult reality of needing to explore new housing options.
To support her through this transition, our broker arranged a meeting with Janie to better understand her current circumstances and discuss what might be possible moving forward. Once a discharge date was confirmed, her current landlord stated she could return to her home. However this wouldn’t be suitable for Janie as she would be unable to fully access or utilise the entire property.
After a thoughtful conversation, it became clear that this arrangement would not meet Janie’s needs, nor support her recovery and independence. Our broker reached out to the landlord to explore alternative housing options.
While Janie’s initially stated that Janie would not qualify as homeless – as returning to her home was deemed a “reasonable temporary option” – they did take the opportunity to update her housing application to better reflect the severity and complexity of her medical needs.
Although a permanent housing solution has not yet been secured, our broker continues to work closely with the housing officer, social work team, and occupational therapist to find a safe, suitable, and sustainable home for Janie — one that supports her health, independence, and dignity.
Helping Dennis Discover the Right Housing Option
When Dennis began experiencing more frequent falls at home, he realised it was time to explore alternative living arrangements that could better support his changing needs.
As a mortgage-free homeowner, it initially seemed that Dennis would have a wide range of options available. However, after speaking with our broker, it became clear that continuing to own a property might not be the most suitable path forward.
Dennis shared that, as he got older, he no longer wanted the responsibility of maintaining his own home. Instead, the idea of sheltered housing, where he could receive support both for himself and support for the maintenance of his home, felt like a much more appealing and sustainable option.
To his surprise, Dennis had not realised that sheltered housing was even available to owner-occupiers. He was delighted when our broker explained that it was indeed a viable option for him.
Once this direction was agreed upon, our broker provided detailed information on sheltered housing providers, highlighting developments located within Dennis’s preferred area.
Dennis is now working closely with his family to complete applications for social housing. Without the guidance and support of our broker, he may never have considered sheltered housing as a possibility. Thanks to this support, Dennis has found a path forward that aligns with his needs, offering safety, support, and peace of mind for the future.