Our client stories from January emphasize the importance of personalised support and the ongoing need for our clients knowing their available housing options. They’re not just about finding a roof over someone’s head, they’re about helping people build a place they can truly call home.
Caitlin’s Story – Purchasing a home
Caitlin and her family have been living in their current privately rented property for nearly a decade, and it is suitably adapted to meet the needs of their son. However, the time came when the landlord has expressed a desire to sell the property. Given that the home is suitable for their needs, the family are interested in purchasing their current home, and came to Housing Options Scotland to seek advice on purchasing as a housing option.
They successfully secured a mortgage; however, the mortgage offer wasn’t high enough to enable them to purchase the property. In response, our broker provided guidance on the Access Ownership scheme, suggesting shared ownership as a potential solution. As the family delved further into this option, additional challenges arose. Nonetheless, our broker utilised their expertise to explore tailored solutions that would make the Access Ownership scheme viable for the family. This involved consulting with financial advisors, benefits specialists, and clients who had previously navigated a similar process.
Although the situation remains ongoing, our broker remains optimistic about identifying a suitable outcome that will enable the family to purchase their home.
David’s Story – Moving Closer to Family
In January 2025, David reached out to HOS after realising that his current housing was no longer suitable due to a significant change in his mobility. A year prior, David underwent an operation that impacted his ability to manage his living situation. As a result, he decided to relocate closer to his family, who could provide the support he needed.
David had already submitted several applications for social housing with providers in areas near his family. However, he had not applied to sheltered housing providers that had available properties in his preferred areas, despite being eligible for sheltered housing due to his age.
Upon reviewing David’s situation, our broker took action by contacting all the housing providers where David had existing applications to ensure they were up-to-date and contained accurate information. Recognising that sheltered housing could be a viable option for David, our broker proactively reached out to a sheltered housing provider on his behalf.
Following the broker’s enquiry, the sheltered housing provider expressed optimism that a suitable property might become available soon. Our broker is now awaiting further information and is confident that this option could provide David with the housing solution he needs.
Through the proactive and tailored approach taken by our broker, David was able to explore additional housing options that he might not have considered otherwise. As a result, David is now closer to finding a suitable property that will meet his mobility needs and allow him to be nearer to his family.
Julie and Family – Moving on from the family home
Julie contacted us to explore housing options for her two children as they prepared to leave the family home. Julie’s goal was for her children to remain together, providing mutual support as they transitioned into independent living. One of her children had previously lived alone, but the arrangement had not worked out, making the idea of them living together a more viable solution.
Julie’s main concern was finding suitable housing that would allow her children to live together and support one another. Additionally, they wanted to consider the future of the property should anything happen to them, particularly in terms of ownership structure.
After an initial consultation, our broker determined that homeownership would likely be the most appropriate solution for Julie’s family. The broker provided an overview of various ownership options that could work for their situation, including shared ownership and other purchasing routes.
The family also expressed concerns about what would happen to the property in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. To address this, our broker recommended consulting with a solicitor to ensure they had the information they needed to make informed decisions about this.
Julie and her family are currently working through the process of exploring different purchasing options with the guidance of our broker. With the support of our broker, Julie and her family are able to navigate both the practical and legal aspects of purchasing a property for their children.
Jason’s Story
Jason reached out to our team after struggling to afford his private rented property due to an increase in rent. He had been living with a friend and wanted to maintain that arrangement when moving to a new home. Jason was uncertain about his housing options and sought advice on how to move forward.
After an initial conversation between Jason’s parents, Jason, and our broker and discussing various options, Jason and his family were unsure of the best path to take. They were considering purchasing a property in Jason’s name or opting for a “Buy to Let to a Relative”. They also wanted to keep social housing as a potential option. While Jason’s family could contribute some financial support towards purchasing a property, they needed clarity on the most suitable solution for their situation.
As more questions arose, the broker continued to offer personalised guidance, helping them navigate their options and consider the implications of each.
To ensure the family was fully informed, our broker recommended that Jason and family speak with a mortgage advisor to explore purchasing options in more depth.
While Jason and his family have yet to make a final decision, they are now well-equipped to move forward with their housing search. With the guidance and information provided by our broker, they are actively exploring their options and have been connected to mortgage advisors who can assist them further