Tenant handbook - independent living

Sheltered housing

This type of housing is self-contained accommodation and enables residents to live independently while having access to an Independent Living Officer, a Mobile Warden and a 24-7 control centre.

Our schemes are usually reserved for people over 60 or those with other support needs such as a disability.

Independent Living Officers and Mobile Wardens

The Independent Living Officer's role is to enable residents to live independently and to help them access any extra support they need.

Independent Living Officers do not provide care directly themselves, nor can they help with 'day-to-day' activities like shopping or housework.

However, they have excellent contacts with health and support organisations and are well placed to arrange help for residents.

The Independent Living Officers also act as a vital link between residents and their Neighbourhood Officer.

A team of Mobile Wardens provide cover for all sheltered scheme residents when the Independent Living Officers are off duty, as well as Community Alarm clients living in the borough.

Mobile Wardens are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year for emergencies via the emergency alarm system.

Scheme options

Sheltered housing schemes

These have an Independent Living Officer working on site during office hours.

Many of these schemes have been built specifically for older people and have facilities such as laundries, guest rooms and communal halls.

Neighbourhood schemes

These have an Independent Living Officer working from within a group of flats and bungalows while also providing a service to homes outside the central group.

Some of these schemes also have communal facilities.

All homes within our schemes are connected to our emergency alarm system, which operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

How to access sheltered housing

To access sheltered housing, you need to apply to the Housing Needs Register (waiting list).

Once you have registered for housing you will be able to view and bid for available properties within our schemes.

Please see our sheltered housing page or call 01707 357 000 for more information.

Extra charges

These services are paid for by the council, with a contribution from people living in our sheltered housing schemes.

This contribution is in the form of a service charge.

All new residents (including council tenants who are moving from general needs housing) are charged for the services on offer from the Independent Living Service.

You are exempt from the service charge if:

• You were already living in supported accommodation in April 2003.
• You transferred to a new home in a sheltered scheme and your first sheltered tenancy started before 7 April 2003.

If you are in receipt of any amount of housing benefit or have limited income, you may be entitled to support with the service charge.

Please contact the Benefits Team on benefits@welhat.gov.uk or by calling 01707 357 000.