Sheltered Housing for Non-Council Tenants
Accommodation in sheltered housing is unfurnished properties specially designed or adapted for elderly people. Local residents who are not currently a council tenant may be eligible for sheltered housing according to age and needs. The council carry out an assessment of applicants and maintain a waiting list until suitable properties become available.
Anyone who is 55 or over may be considered for supportive housing for older people called sheltered housing. It is self contained accommodation but has 24 emergency alarm cover and many of the sheltered schemes have a residential member of staff living on site.
All the sheltered housing in the borough is let by a dedicated team and will shortly be managed by a specialist housing association. This change of management will not affect the rules that govern its letting. They also administer the Common Register for sheltered applicants whereby other housing association sheltered properties are nominated to by this team.
Because of the special services provided by sheltered housing, all applicants who are interested are visited regarding placement on the sheltered housing waiting list.
Where a very frail or vulnerable older person is being considered, it may be appropriate to clarify the situation regarding their support needs from Social Services or the applicants support network, before being placed on the sheltered waiting listed.
Sheltered homes will be let within the general letting priorities and applicants may identify a specific scheme that they are interested in. However, the more restricted the choice is, the longer the applicant will have to wait.
Owner occupiers are accepted on the basis they cannot cope in their existing homes because of their medical needs. However, they will have to dispose of any interest in their home before they can move into sheltered housing.
Page updated: 25 Jan 2008