Sheltered Accommodation 

  

What is Sheltered Accommodation?Sheltered Lounge

Sheltered Housing is accommodation for rent, designed specifically for older people to enable them to live as independently as possible, whilst providing a safe, secure and supportive environment responsive to individual needs. It offers security and peace of mind, allowing you to live as actively, independently and privately as you like – but with the option of companionship if you want it. 

We offer mainly two types of accommodation for people aged 55 and over:

  • Accommodation for older people who can live independently, or semi-independently
  • Accommodation for older people who need slightly more care or support

We have a range of good quality apartments and bungalows for rent, designed for single people and couples aged 55 and over.

 (It is very different from care homes or nursing homes where people may need to be looked after full time.) All schemes have a warden service available, which varies, according to the level of support required. All have a Community Alarm linked to out 24hr call centre called Service 24.

We also have two Extra Care schemes in the pipeline - please see the link on the left for more information.

Many people find our housing for older people an easier and more attractive option than maintaining a property which is too large for them. 

Our schemes are designed to let you live your life the way you want.  Each is different, but many provide the following features:

  • Self-contained accommodation
  • Your own front door, bathroom and fitted kitchen
  • Communal facilities such as a laundry, communal lounge, and guest room
  • Communal gardens
  • Door entry systems
  • 24-hour emergency call centre support through friendly and experienced operators 
  • A Warden or Scheme Manager Service

Residents can choose take part in a wide range of social activities if they wish.  

As a tenant living in our retirement housing, you pay a rent, a service charge and a support charge.  The support charge covers the cost of the scheme manager (if applicable), and the service charge covers cleaning, gardening and maintaining communal areas.  You may be eligible for housing benefit and Supporting People funding to help pay these charges – we can advise you.

 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does the Warden do?

This varies from scheme to scheme and the needs of each person, but they may:

·  Help new tenants to settle in and explain how everything works
·  Make regular contact with each tenant
·  Deal with emergencies – Medical and Social
·  Encourage Social activities
·  Report and monitor repairs and maintenance work
·  Assess needs with Tenants, families and voluntary or statutory agencies to            
   ensure the tenants needs are met
·  Provide advice and co-ordinate general issues like care and assist with move when 
   the time comes
·  Help with understanding rent and tenancies issues

 Who is eligible for Sheltered Housing?

·  Anyone over the age of 55 who is in need of housing with an element of support
·  People living alone or in couples

 What if I am disabled?

We have over 30 schemes in the East Midlands, which provide different facilities and levels of support. Some properties have been specifically designed to enable disabled people to access them easily.

How much does it cost?

·    This will depend on the type of scheme, an average rent is £65.00 per week
·    You will also have to pay a separate charge for Support. This varies between
     £3.00  per week to £25.00 per week depending on the level of support you
     receive.

You may be entitled to Housing Benefit to pay part or all of your rent and a Supporting People Grant to pay for your Support Charge.

You will be advised about these when you apply.

What are the benefits of living in Sheltered Housing? Sheltered tenant

  • Good quality housing
  • Your own tenancy
  • Independence
  • Peace of mind, with help on hand through either the warden or the emergency call centre
  • Company if you so require it
  • Remaining part of the community
  • Choice of over 30 schemes to suite your needs

 How do I choose which scheme I would like?

There are some basic factors you need to consider when choosing a Sheltered Housing scheme. These are the more basic ones.

  • Location - where do you want to live?
  • Access - is it in easy reach of shops, surgeries and transport?
  • Design - is it suitable to meet my needs – Do you require wheelchair/disabled accommodation?
  • Communal Facilities - do you want these?
  • Size and Layout - do you require a bedsit, flat or bungalow?
  • Warden - Do you require a warden on site, a weekly or a monthly visit or just a community alarm system?
  • Atmosphere - does it feel right?
  • Cost – Can you afford the charges?
  • Other residents – What do they say about the scheme?

 How do I apply for Sheltered Housing?

We now no longer run our own waiting lists but are part of larger local authority lists, which should mean you are able to access more choice in one go than apply to lots of different associations.  Contact the local authority in the area you wish to move to for more information.

Or

  • You can contact us by Phone: 0116 2576716
  • You can write to us at: LHA-ASRA, 3 Bede Island Road, Leicester, LE2 7EA.
  • Contact us via the contact form