Affordable Housing Support
SICAB helping families secure stable homes
Shetland Islands Citizens Advice Bureau (SICAB) provides free, confidential and impartial advice to people across Shetland. Each year, advisers support clients on issues including benefits, debt, housing, employment and energy. In 2024/25 alone, SICAB helped 1,671 individuals, achieving almost £2 million in financial gains. The Bureau works closely with local services and agencies to tackle inequality and financial hardship, ensuring people across Shetland can access the support they need.
One example of this partnership working involved a young woman in her twenties who was referred to SICAB by Shetland Islands Council Housing Service. Following the breakdown of her relationship, she was living in the family home with her three-year-old child. The property was on the market, but neither she nor her former partner could afford to buy the other out. Despite being in full-time work, her income was not enough to cover both the mortgage and household bills, leaving her under severe financial strain.
SIC Housing advised her that a financial assessment from SICAB would be needed to support an application for social housing. A SICAB Money Adviser carried out a full benefits check and confirmed that she was already receiving all the payments she was entitled to. The Adviser then worked with her to complete a detailed financial assessment, using her budget sheet and bank statements to set out her income and essential expenditure.
This information was passed to SIC Housing to be considered alongside her housing application. On review, the Council accepted the assessment, recognising that the mortgage was unsustainable. The client later returned to SICAB to share that she had been successful in her application and was relieved to be moving forward with securing a tenancy.
This case highlights the role of SICAB in supporting people at times of financial stress, and the value of strong links between local services. By working together, SICAB and SIC Housing were able to provide a clear pathway to affordable housing and give a young family much-needed security.
Contribution to Partnership Priorities:
- Money – ensuring households can afford a good standard of living.
- People – supporting families to thrive through secure housing.