The client’s name has been changed to protect their privacy
Before contacting Housing Options Scotland, Alice had been living with her husband and two children in an area for several years. However, following the breakdown in her relationship, she found herself in an uncertain situation. Her former partner was happy for her to remain living in the property but it was veterans’ accommodation which meant this was not possible and she risked potential eviction. When looking for a new home, Alice had very few essential criteria, only that it should be in an area near her children’s school and her work.
Upon contacting Housing Options Scotland, Alice’s case was allocated to a broker who made contact. The broker was able to provide advice on navigating the social housing application process and reassured Alice that they would be there to support her case.
“It was a situation I’ve never been in before. I didn’t know how to refer myself as homeless.”
Alice found the whole process left her feeling dejected and “fobbed off” with months passing with little progress after submitting her housing application.
“Housing Options Scotland were prompting them and chasing them up.”
This support from her broker gave some comfort that her application would eventually be considered by the local housing team and that she had not been lost in the system, despite the long waits for social housing.
“I didn’t feel there were any houses to go to,” she said.
Alice also began to feel the strain of remaining in a home with her former partner, eight months had passed and she still had no idea of when she would be offered housing.
With ongoing support, the local homeless housing team recognised the urgent need to rehouse Alice and her children. Within two weeks she had been offered temporary accommodation. Fortunately, before moving in she was then offered permanent accommodation.
Finally, having been offered accommodation that met her essential criteria, including being on a bus route so that she could easily commute, Alice could be confident that her and her children’s future in the area was now secure.
Alice is now settled in her home with her children, commenting that she is happy to be somewhere that feels safe, and she is looking forward to making it feel like home.
When reflecting on her journey navigating the social housing system, she said she found there was too little communication, and found she only received correspondence when Housing Options Scotland followed up her case. This led to feelings of hopelessness and doubts about whether she would ever be offered housing.
“It’s not easy to refer yourself as homeless” she said, adding that she would really recommend getting in touch with Housing Options Scotland, “even just to get advice.”