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Council tenants - sheltered housing

 

 

There are significant differences in design and services provided between sheltered houses and the Council's other mainstream properties.

There is also a difference in the way sheltered housing is allocated.

Floating Support- a service to help you to stay in your own home (private and Council homes)

What is Sheltered Housing

How to apply

Choosing Sheltered Housing units

Appealing against a decision 

Tenancies in Sheltered Housing

 

What is Sheltered Housing?

The Council's Sheltered Housing Units (SHU) allow people aged 60 or over to retain a high degree of independence within their homes via a service called the Housing Support Service, this service is provided by Housing Support Officers (HSO).

In general the HSO duties can be described as :-

• Housing Related Support
• Responding to emergencies
• Encouraging residents' social activities
• Liaising and Referrals to outside services and agencies
• General Assistance

The HSO is not employed as a nurse or home help. Therefore, the HSO will not be involved in administering medicines or helping with residents' shopping.

On most developments, individual properties have been equipped with amenities which are specifically designed to meet the needs of elderly residents.

These features normally include:

• A 2 way speech intercom system linked to the HSO.
• Pull-cords in each room to summon assistance in the event of an emergency.
• Electrical sockets fitted within easy reach.
• Non-slip flooring and grab rails next to the bath and toilet.
• Community Alarm System, which residents can use to alert staff at the Council's 24 hour monitoring station if they need help.

In some schemes there are also a number of communal facilities such as a laundry, a residents' lounge and kitchen, an office for the HSO and a guest room for tenants' visitors (a small charge is made).

How to Apply for Sheltered Housing

Applicants for sheltered housing need to complete the Council's application for Housing, giving additional details of their personal needs and health. Help is available to complete the form, contact details are at the bottom of this page.

Once an application for sheltered housing has been received, allocations staff will carefully check the application form and ensure the person is eligible to join the sheltered housing waiting or transfer list.
The information given on the application and in the questionnaire will then be used by the Housing Manager to determine the priority the applicant will have. (If additional information is required, this will be sought from the applicant by letter, visit or by contacting Social Services, or any other agencies involved).

For more information regarding the application process, please contact us using the details below.

Choosing Sheltered Housing Units

Sheltered housing complexes in Bridgnorth provide a mixture of bedsits, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom properties. Also, some of the properties may be on upper floors as well as on ground level.

Further information on these properties can be obtained from the Housing Section.

Appealing Against a Decision

Where an applicant is not satisfied with a decision or the priority award made by the Housing section, they have the right to appeal to the Housing Manager.

If after this review the applicant is still not satisfied with the decision, a further appeal can be made to the Head of Housing. Further details on the appeals process for allocations decisions can be found in the Council's Allocation Policy in the section 'Related Information'.

Tenancies in Sheltered Housing

Rent levels for sheltered housing are generally higher than for mainstream tenancies. This is to cover the costs of the extra services provided to tenants (i.e. HSO service).

Like tenants of mainstream Council housing, sheltered housing tenants can apply for housing benefit to help cover the cost of the rent and the service charges. However, unlike mainstream tenants, those tenants living in sheltered housing do not have the right to buy their Council property.

For more information or to make an application for sheltered accommodation, please contact us:

By telephone:

01746 713205

By email:

housing@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk

Via the website:

Complete a housing application online. 

By Letter:

Housing & Property Services
Bridgnorth District Council
Westgate
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV16 5AA