Sheltered Housing
What is sheltered housing?
Sheltered housing schemes offer specially designed housing for older people in clusters of unfurnished self-contained flats or bungalows. Residents have access to the assistance of a non-resident scheme manager during office hours (Monday – Friday) and an intercom system linked to a 24 hour call centre for times of emergency.
Some schemes are complexes with communal facilities such as a lounge, laundry, guest room and gardens. Others are groups of bungalows or flats often with a small individual garden. Most have access to some communal and social facilities. Accommodation is available for couples and for single people.
What types of sheltered housing are available?
Please select the following link to view a list of sheltered schemes by area, type and landlord: Types of Sheltered Housing that are available
What is the role of a Scheme Manager?
The Scheme Manager can provide housing related support and reassurance in times of difficulty. Scheme Managers do not live on site and if an emergency occurs outside of their working hours, an intercom and pull-cord system provides support in an emergency.
During their working hours, if there is an emergency, the Scheme Manager will respond as soon as possible and will give whatever assistance is required. If you are taken ill the Scheme Manager will call the Doctor, inform your relatives/friends and contact other services such as district nursing, meals-on-wheels, home care etc.
In schemes where there is a communal lounge the tenants are encouraged to use it. The Scheme Manager will help to organise regular social events and outings as well as lunch clubs. Tenants are free to join in, or not, exactly as they wish.
Who can apply for Sheltered Housing?
Any person aged 55 or over who lives in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough, or who would like to move into the borough, can apply for sheltered housing. In certain circumstances, people under the age of 55 may be considered dependent on their circumstances and following discussions with other statutory services. To apply for sheltered housing, all applicants need to complete a housing register application form including Section 4A of this form which refers to sheltered housing applicants. A form can be obtained by contacting Housing Services, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4AH, in writing, by telephoning on (01256) 845250 or alternatively, you may wish to download the form at the bottom of this page.
download the form at the bottom of this page.
What happens after I have submitted my application?
Your housing register application and requested documentation (i.e. identification and proof of address) need to be returned to the Housing Services department.
The Housing Needs Officer for Older People processes and registers your application. This officer then carries out a desktop assessment of your sheltered housing needs and determines if you require a home visit or signposting to other support services. This may include writing to your GP for information.
Complex cases and extra care applicants are discussed at a monthly panel which comprises Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Adult Services and housing, care and support providers. Following a desktop assessment, the Housing Needs Officer for Older People allocates an applicant’s points and banding and confirms this to the applicant in writing.
How will I be offered a property?
After you have been awarded points and placed into a band on the housing register, you will remain on the register until a suitable vacancy arises and you are next to be nominated. The Housing Association that owns that property and manages that scheme will contact you directly to arrange a viewing. Sheltered housing is not being allocated under the Choice Based Lettings allocations scheme at present.
How long will I have to wait until I am offered sheltered housing?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine how long an applicant is likely to wait for sheltered housing. The Housing Services department advises that you maximise your opportunities by considering all housing types and areas i.e. flats and bungalows across the whole of the Basingstoke and Deane borough.
Alternatively, you may wish to consider other options such as privately renting, shared ownership or support within your existing home.
What happens if I disagree with a decision the council makes about my application for sheltered housing?
Applicants have the right to request a review on any aspect of their housing application assessment made by the council. Requests for a review can be made either in writing (including via email), by telephone or verbally to a housing officer. The review will be carried out by an officer who was not involved in the original decision and who is senior to the officer who made the initial assessment/decision. A review will be completed and the outcome notified within 56 days of the request being received.
