Sheltered homes are let or sold on a long lease with
older people in mind.
Residents live in their own homes usually one or two
bedroom flats or bungalows in a block, small estate or groups
of properties within an area. All the other residents are older
people (usually over 55), which helps create a community feeling,
promoting friendship and a feeling of security. Some schemes have
communal facilities such as a lounge‚ laundry and garden.
Support
The schemes are managed by local
housing
associations, who provide residents with access to support
services. The amount of support provided varies according to the
housing provider but is usually a mixture of visits and calls via
the call system. As a minimum all residents have access to an alarm
call system. The charges for support are usually standard
throughout the particular scheme and are paid as part of the rent
charge or service charges in leasehold properties.
It is now common for ‘scheme managers’ to live off site. They
are usually responsible for providing the support service for
residents during office hours. This may include arranging
social activities and liaising with the resident, care services and
relatives about care
and support needs. In some cases tenants are provided with more in
depth support for example debt advice through specialist staff.
If someone living in sheltered housing requires Home Care, this
is provided in the same way as if the person were living in
non-sheltered housing. Rarely are there any special care
facilities on site.
Alarm System
There is usually a hard wired
alarm system in properties designated as Sheltered (operated by
pull-chords and/or a pendant alarm within the home) linked to a
24-hour call centre.
Pendant alarms are provided where a person has mobility needs. The
call centre holds personal details of tenants which are used to get
help in an emergency. The alarm system can be added to, for
example to allow residents to let callers into the building using
a
pendant.
Costs
Rents will usually include:
- Rent for your flat or bungalow
- A ‘housing management’ service charge (for things like cleaning
and maintenance and upkeep costs for internal and external communal
areas)
- A ‘support’ service charge (your
contribution towards the cost of the
support services you receive from our support team and the call
monitoring centre)
Housing Benefit can be claimed to help with the rent and
qualifying service charges if the occupier is on a low income.
If the provider is contracted with Supporting People, grant will
be provided for people on low incomes to meet the costs of support.
People who have capital or property with a value above £23,500 or
who have a high income, pay their own support charges.
Where home care is provided costs and charges will vary
according to the amount of care provided and the resident’s
income.
Sheltered properties can either be rented or bought - usually on
leasehold basis - either from the Council, a Registered Social
Landlord or privately. Social Housing vacancies (for rent) are
advertised on the council’s
HomeChoice system in the
same way as other social housing vacancies.
More information about Sheltered Housing Schems is available in
the Alliance Homes
Sheltered Housing Handbook (pdf, Apr
12, 2.15MB).
