Every day at HOS is different. Clients come to us needing help with a wide range of housing needs and issues. Our brokers provide free, individualised support, so they need to come up with a variety of tailored advice. Below is a round-up of some of the work our team did in March.
Ryan helped a client who was living in a private let but needed to move as the property had recently been sold. When they first contacted us, they presented as homeless. Therefore, they received a response within 24 hours and were referred to a homelessness case worker. Ryan continued to support them after they moved into temporary accommodation by providing them with information and advice on finding a permanent housing solution. Ryan helped them explore their other housing options, for example, housing associations, and explained the process for local authority decisions on homelessness applications. The client has since been able to secure permanent accommodation.
Erin advised a client who wanted to downsize after their marriage ended and their children moved out. They were finding it difficult to manage in their current property as their mental and physical health had declined in recent years. The client wanted to move closer to their family and support networks and had explored some housing options available to them. Erin discussed these further with them. Together, they decided to look at local authority and sheltered housing and ruled out private rentals and home ownership as options. After receiving a signed mandate form, Erin was able to liaise with the relevant local authorities on the client’s behalf. The council advised that if they considered a different housing type, the client might be awarded a higher priority. Erin communicated this to the client and they are now planning to make changes to their application.
Olivia supported a client who had been on their local authority’s urgent priority list for housing for two years. They had been experiencing domestic abuse after the breakdown of their marriage. They had already been in touch with Woman’s Aid and Citizens Advice Scotland for help and advice. Olivia talked the client through their different options and explained what it means to be on the Urgent Housing list, the Homelessness List and the General Needs housing list. The client decided to make a homeless application. After being placed on the Homelessness List, the client recently viewed and accepted a property. They are looking forward to moving in.
It can be difficult to navigate your housing options alone. Our Housing Options Brokers are here to help and offer free, individualised support and advice. Get in touch or fill out one of our Get Help forms if you need guidance.
If you, or someone you know, needs support concerning domestic abuse, there are people who can help –
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline
Visit: https://www.sdafmh.org.uk/en/
Call: 0800 027 1234
Text/Whatsapp: 07401288595
Scottish Women’s Aid
Visit: https://womensaid.scot/
Call: 0131 226 6606
If you work for a housing provider and want support responding to domestic abuse, contact Addressing Domestic Abuse: https://addressingdomesticabuse.com/