Finding Hope in Uncertainty: Bernadette’s Story
After nearly 20 years in her home, Bernadette was devastated to receive a notice from her landlord giving her just three months to leave. Faced with the fear of losing her home and having nowhere else to go, she reached out to Housing Options Scotland for support.
From the outset, Bernadette’s broker provided calm reassurance. She explained that the eviction process can take time and that it was unlikely Bernadette would be forced to leave within such a short period. This reassurance lifted a huge weight off Bernadette’s shoulders, giving her the clarity and peace of mind she desperately needed.
With her immediate fears eased, Bernadette began exploring her housing options. While she was open to renting privately again, she was also curious to know whether buying a property might be within reach.
To explore this possibility, her broker connected her with a financial advisor who could help assess whether home ownership might be a viable path. At the same time, Bernadette was encouraged to set up alerts for private rental properties, ensuring she kept all avenues open.
While she’s still waiting to hear whether buying is an option, Bernadette now feels hopeful and empowered. She knows she has choices—and more importantly, that she won’t be left with nowhere to go.
Without the support of Housing Options Scotland, Bernadette could have felt overwhelmed and rushed into leaving her home without fully understanding her options. Instead, she now has a clearer path forward—and a renewed sense of control over her future.
Case Study: A Quick Call That Made All the Difference
In May, a tenant renting from a housing association contacted us in a state of distress. He had been told that his home was on a disposal list and that his landlord had suspended all repair work. Unsure where to turn, he reached out to HOS for support.
Rather than diving straight into housing alternatives, our broker took a step back and decided to first clarify the situation with the tenant’s landlord. A brief phone call quickly uncovered the truth: the tenant had been completely misinformed. His home was not earmarked for disposal, and there was no freeze on repair services.
Thanks to this quick intervention, the housing officer promptly contacted the tenant to arrange for the outstanding repairs to be carried out.
While we didn’t need to explore other housing options in this case, our broker’s decision to investigate the facts first made all the difference. By connecting with the right people at the right time, we were able to resolve the issue swiftly and alleviate the tenant’s concerns.
At HOS, we’re committed to looking at the bigger picture, always working toward the simplest and most effective solutions for the people we support.
Case Study: Right Time, Right Support – Lesley’s Journey with the LIFT Scheme
In May, we were pleased to hear again from Lesley, a previous client who had first reached out to us some time ago.
Back then, Lesley was interested in the LIFT Scheme but was disappointed to learn it had already closed for the year. With limited options at the time, she was left weighing her next steps. Fast forward to April this year the LIFT Scheme reopened, and by May, Lesley had found a home she felt was perfect for her. That’s when she reconnected with HOS.
Because we had already spoken with Lesley in the past, we were able to pick up right where we left off. A broker got in touch with her immediately to revisit the LIFT Scheme details and quickly connected her with a financial advisor to explore mortgage options.
While Lesley hasn’t yet completed the purchase, she’s now firmly on the right track. She’s just waiting for several key steps to align before she can move forward. Without timely support from HOS, Lesley may have missed the chance to act quickly and potentially losing out on a home that truly suited her.
At HOS, we pride ourselves on being ready to help when it matters most – providing fast, clear advice to empower our clients to take the next step with confidence.