Housing for Older People

Hart DC is in the process of writing a Strategy to help guide future policy in relation to housing options available to older people in the district.  If you would like to be involved in consultation on this matter pleas email us at the address below.

A piece of research carried out recently which will help shape the Strategy is the:

• Review of Housing & Care Needs of Older People in Rushmoor & Hart.

Sheltered Housing

What is sheltered housing?

Let us start with what sheltered housing is not: Sheltered housing is not a care home, or an old folk's home, or a nursing home.

Sheltered housing is intended to meet the needs of older people who would like to continue to live independently in the community, but would benefit from additional support.

Tenants in sheltered housing have their own front door, come and go as they please, have visitors when they like, and are responsible for their own cooking, cleaning, etc. If they need help with any of these things there is a Manager who is able to advise and assist in securing the services they need to live independently.

There is also the security of an alarm system that can be activated in the home for an emergency response from the Manager or Call Centre in the case of illness or other serious problem.

Sheltered housing can cater for those older people with extra needs as long as the additional care and support needed for that person to live independently can be provided. Housing Association staff can advise and assist in accessing this care and support both prior to a tenancy being taken up or should the need arise for an existing tenant. They work closely with Social Services, Health Professionals and other support agencies.

SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS IN THE HART DISTRICT

Sentinel Housing Association is the provider of the majority of sheltered vacancies within the Hart district. Hart District Council have 100% nomination rights to their vacancies.

Sentinel has schemes in Basingstoke, Fleet and many of the surrounding small towns and villages.

At each scheme, staff contacts residents on a regular basis and help to arrange services to meet individual needs. All residents benefit from the community alarm system in their home, which is connected to their CommuniCare service.

The properties consist of groups of self-contained flats or bungalows for rent; some are suitable for people with disabilities. Many of their schemes have communal facilities such as a resident’s sitting room, laundry and a guest facility.

They welcome applications from people over 60 years of age, including homeowners and those who live outside the area, if they have a local connection with the District. In some schemes they have a facility for people to stay for short periods. This may suit an older or disabled person who needs to live in a secure environment on a temporary basis, for example:

While their family or partner is away from home, or after discharge from hospital.

For further information on their Sheltered Schemes telephone 01256 338833 or visit the Sentinel Housing Group website

Hanover Housing Association offers ‘an integrated range of housing and care solutions for older and disabled people’. Hart District Council have nomination rights to a percentage of their vacancies at Fisk Court and Fiske Close.

For further information, please call Sheryl Buckley on 01249 707012 or the regional office on 01249 707000. Alternatively you can visit the Hanover Housing Association website