All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (saw) is His slave and Messenger.

If the civil servant you mentioned wanted the house to live in, then it is lawful for him to take Zakaah from his brother, or any other person because indebted people are eligible for Zakaah.

Allah knows best. (Source: islam_web) Classified in Zakaah (Obligatory Charity) > Recipients of Zakah