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Sheltered housing is a form of accommodation where
individuals can live in independent units while enjoying the
benefits of communal facilities and the services of a scheme
manager or resident warden. Some schemes are operated by a local
authority or housing association for rental to suitable tenants;
others are created for private owner-occupiers or are a mix of both
types of resident.
Ten out of every 100 British senior citizens currently live in
some form of sheltered housing, enabling them to enjoy a longer
period of independent living before needing to move into
residential care. Similar sheltered or supported housing schemes
are also increasingly important for people with learning
disabilities or mental health problems.
The royal commission on the funding of long-term care (1999)
decided such alternatives to residential care should be expanded,
prompting a change in government policy to promote and support
innovative housing scheme development. A new emerging market is for
'extra care' housing, to provide sheltered housing with additional
support resources, as an alternative to residential care,
particularly for older people with mental health needs. This kind
of housing reduces social isolation because tenants have more
opportunities for social interaction while still maintaining their
individual lifestyle choices.
Community building
Kent's sheltered housing strategy seeks to increase the number
of suitable housing units across the county so that it can provide
supported but largely independent accommodation for people who
would otherwise have no choice but to go into a residential home.
There is an emphasis on developing opportunities for
community-building and interaction. For instance, west kent housing
association (WKHA) provides facilities so that tenants can cook
together if they wish, and join in special activities such as
working with other local people for the 'Swanley in Bloom'
competition. Another innovative scheme has been a partnership
between tenants, a special needs school and the groundwork trust to
develop a sensory garden together, which has proved a great
success.
We seek to promote the concept of retirement communities in Kent
and in 1998 opened 'Hartrigg Oaks', the first 'continuing care
retirement community' in the United Kingdom. It provides high
quality accommodation and communal facilities - including a
library, fitness suite and arts and crafts room - combined with
extensive care and support services, such as home help and personal
care.
Finding sheltered accommodation
You should first decide whether you wish to rent or buy. Local
authority schemes are available only for rental. The housing
department at your local authority will tell you if you qualify and
will send you an application form.
Housing associations are non-profit making organisations which
set up schemes for rental or part-purchase by people who cannot
afford to buy a suitable home on the open market. Your local
housing department or citizens advice bureau (CAB) should be able
to give you a list of suitable local schemes. Some voluntary
organisations also provide sheltered housing schemes for older
people to rent. Again, information on such local schemes will
normally be available from your local housing department or
CAB.
Private developers also often build sheltered housing for sale.
These will be advertised in the local press and magazines.
You may find it useful to vist the
Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) or
Retirement Homesearch websites when trying
to locate suitable accommodation. The
Homewise
Retirement Properties website also provides additional
information in relation to housing advice for those over 65,
looking for low cost sheltered housing and to improve their
standard of living. Homewise Retirement Properties work closely
with Age
Concern, the Elderly Accommodation Counsel and
ARHM
to provide informed advice and options to those in retirement.
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