Housing support for older and vulnerable people

If you are 60 or over you can apply for sheltered housing, and in some cases applicants under the age of 60 may be considered. You must also be a resident of the Borough for at least 5 years.

How to apply

To apply for sheltered housing you need to join our Housing Register.

Join the housing register

When we have received your application, we will write and tell you if you have been accepted on to the Housing Register.

Once your application has been registered, we will contact you to arrange a home visit to assess your needs for sheltered housing. Our Housing and Sheltered Housing teams decide if sheltered housing can meet your needs.

Why Sheltered Housing

There are a number of reasons sheltered housing might be suitable for you, for example you may:

• want to move to a smaller property that is easier to maintain
• feel safer in a community scheme setting   
• want to make new friends   
• want to maintain an independent and active lifestyle in a secure and friendly environment
• want to retain the privacy of your own front door with facilities that suit your needs

Sheltered housing offers you the chance to live in a community environment with facilities that suit your needs, but still keep your own front door and privacy. Sheltered properties are situated near local amenities, with the added security of a 24 hour alarm service, out of hours service and a sheltered housing scheme manager.

Sheltered housing scheme managers

Each scheme has an experienced sheltered housing scheme manager from Monday to Friday. Officers are responsible for the management and security of the building, as well as the safety and welfare of the residents. They will:

• contact you once a week either by phone or speaking to you through the alarm intercom in your home or a visit
• ensure communal repairs are carried out promptly·       
• ensure the building is safe and carry out weekly checks of the fire alarms
• refer you to any support team if you have difficulty managing day to day activities

Accommodation and facilities

Our schemes consist of:

• self-contained studio flats (some have shared bathrooms within purpose built schemes)
• one bedroom flats
• a small number of one bedroom bungalows and two bedroom flats

All our sheltered properties are let unfurnished and are for the sole use and occupancy of those named on the tenancy agreement.

Emergencies and security

We have an out-of-hours service for emergencies. Each flat and communal area has an alarm system, so you can speak to the control centre to get help during an emergency (such as a fall or sudden ill health). The control centre will arrange for an officer or the emergency services to visit where appropriate.

Some other facilities and security features which may also be included in the schemes or property:

• door entry systems   
• smoke alarms
• 24-hour alarm service for greater security
• social activities   
• central heating and hot water   
• residents' communal lounge   
• communal garden     
• guest rooms (for your visitors)     
• free laundry facilities   
• visiting library   
• ramps, wider doorways and lifts (where feasible)   
• door-entry system   
• smoke alarm system (where appropriate)     
• security cameras (cctv)     
• concessionary TV licence (where agreed by TV licensing)

Handyman service

The handyman service can help you with simple, practical jobs or repairs, such as putting up shelves or curtain tracks. You can request an appointment from the handyman service by contacting the Housing Contact Centre. You will need to supply all the materials for the job, for example, curtain tracks and nails.

Pets

Cats are not permitted in sheltered housing and the only dogs allowed are registered dogs or hearing dogs. 

With prior written permission from the Lead Officer Older Persons Housing you and your household may keep small caged birds, fish in tanks or small caged rodents. Cats, dogs and other such larger animals cannot be kept at the property/your home except in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Council (for example, registered dogs or hearing dogs).