Finding the Right Path: Supporting Hannah Through Housing Uncertainty
After over 20 years in her privately rented home, Hannah found herself facing a difficult change. Her landlord was retiring and moving back to Scotland, meaning she would need to find somewhere new to live. Unsure about what came next and unfamiliar with the homelessness process, Hannah reached out to us for support.
When our housing broker first spoke with Hannah, it quickly became clear that the idea of making a homelessness application felt overwhelming. As an older person, she was particularly concerned about the uncertainty it could bring. Instead, she was keen to explore alternative options.
Together, we agreed to focus on sheltered housing – an option that could offer both security and a sense of community. With support from our broker, Hannah began widening her search area and actively applying to various sheltered housing providers to increase her chances of securing a suitable home.
Just a few weeks later, we were informed of a vacancy in a sheltered housing development within the same local authority. Believing it could be a great fit, our broker passed the opportunity on to Hannah for consideration.
Hannah is now thoughtfully weighing whether this property meets her needs. Whatever she decides, she knows we’ll continue to support her every step of the way.
Without the guidance and reassurance from HOS, Hannah may have remained unsure of her options or felt forced down a path that wasn’t right for her. Now, she’s making informed choices about her future—on her own terms.
Building a Brighter Future: Helping Adam Take His First Steps Towards Independence
As Adam’s mum began to think about the future, she realised that with age, she might not always be able to provide the same level of support he depends on. Wanting to ensure Adam would be prepared for the next stage of life, she reached out to HOS to begin exploring options for independent living.
After an initial conversation with one of our experienced housing brokers, it became clear that Adam had a range of possibilities available to him. As part of our Making Moves process, the best way to move forward was to bring everyone involved in Adam’s care together for a Making Moves planning meeting.
These meetings are a key part of how we support young people transitioning into independence. They bring together the young person, their family, carers, and wider support network to have open, meaningful conversations. This goes beyond housing, but about what home really means to them.
The discussion goes far beyond bricks and mortar. Together, we explore important questions: Where would Adam feel happiest and most supported? What kind of environment will help him thrive? Who and what does he need nearby to feel safe, connected, and fulfilled?
The meeting is designed to give everyone involved a seat at the table and a voice in shaping a future that truly reflects Adam’s needs, goals, and aspirations.
Right now, our broker is working with Adam and his mum to coordinate this planning meeting. Without the guidance and expertise of HOS, Adam and his family may not have known where to begin. But with the right support in place, they’re now on the path toward making informed, empowered decisions about Adam’s future.
A Fresh Start: Supporting Bridget and Her Husband’s Move to Scotland
Following a change in their personal circumstances, Bridget and her husband made the life-changing decision to relocate from Wales to Scotland. Although they had never lived in Scotland before, they had a vision of where they wanted to settle and reached out to HOS for support in exploring their housing options.
During an initial conversation with one of our brokers, it became clear that they were eager to move quickly. While social housing was an option, our broker advised that waiting times could be long, and encouraged them to consider alternative routes that could better match their timeframe.
With some savings set aside, Bridget and her husband expressed interest in home ownership—particularly the LIFT (Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers) scheme, which helps people buy a home with shared equity support. After reviewing the information provided by our broker, they were keen to explore whether this could work for them.
Although they weren’t sure if a mortgage would be possible, our broker connected them with a trusted financial adviser who could guide them through the process. With this expert support now in place, Bridget and her husband are actively exploring their options, and there is growing optimism about a successful outcome.
As they were relocating from another country, it’s likely they would never have come across initiatives like the LIFT scheme without the support of HOS. Now, with tailored advice and practical guidance, they are on the path to making their dream of a fresh start in Scotland a reality.
New Beginnings: Helping Jessica find her first home
In April, we were delighted to welcome a new member to our brokerage team. From their very first week, they’ve been hard at work building a caseload and supporting individuals on their journey to finding the right housing solutions.
One of their first clients was Jessica—a young person looking to explore independent living for the first time. To get a clear picture of what Jessica hoped her future could look like, our broker arranged an initial phone call to learn more about her needs, preferences, and aspirations.
Jessica explained that it was important for her to live somewhere close to her workplace and hobbies, with strong public transport links to help her stay connected. These are exactly the kinds of personal priorities we encourage our Making Moves clients to think about.
Using this insight, our broker pulled together tailored housing options information, outlining a range of options including social housing, mid-market rent, and ownership. The aim was to give Jessica a clear sense of what’s out there and what could work best for her lifestyle now and in the future.
Jessica is currently reviewing her options and feels excited about what lies ahead. While she hasn’t made any final decisions yet, she’s now on a well-informed path and knows she has the right support behind her. Thanks to the expert knowledge of our brokerage team, we help young people like Jessica not only understand their housing choices, but take confident, meaningful steps toward building an independent life that truly suits them