What is it?
Sheltered Housing is for older people (usually 60 years and over) who wish to live independently but with the peace of mind of a 24 hour Linkline Telecare alarm service and the support provided by staff who work within the buildings.
The flats are usually studio and one bedroom flats with their own bathrooms and kitchens. Tenants living within sheltered accommodation share the use of a laundry and a communal lounge.
This type of accommodation is ideal for older people who value living independently within a safe and secure community but may require support to do so.
The application process
To apply for sheltered housing, you first need to apply to Lewisham Council for Council Housing. Application forms are available from the housing offices or can be requested using the form on the right.
On the application form complete section 23 if you are interested in sheltered housing.
A Housing Officer will request a Sheltered Housing Assessment from the Sheltered Housing Team, to which you will be invited. If you have already been shortlisted for a property this assessment will be completed within five working days, otherwise they will be completed within 10 working days.
If you have been assessed as suitable for sheltered housing your Housing Office will let you know your property reference number and banding. You can then start bidding for properties via Homesearch.
Who is eligible for sheltered housing?
People who are aged 60 or over and:
- need support to live independently, for example where there are no relatives or friends in the local area, or
- are isolated within their current housing and would benefit from living in a community setting, or
- whose current accommodation no longer meets their needs, for example they have limited mobility, or live on the 1st floor with no lift.
Who is not eligible for sheltered housing?
- people under the age of 60
- people who work full-time
- anyone who owns a pet that would be difficult to accommodate within a communal environment
- people who request a warden on site
- those who refuse to pay the support charge
- people who do not require support and can live in mainstream housing
- those who have not been assessed by the Sheltered Housing Team
- people who have a chronic history of neighbour nuisance/substance misuse.
Charging
A support charge of £10.45 per week (2008-2009) is included in all Sheltered Housing Tenants rent. This covers the cost of the Sheltered Housing Officers who visit tenants to support them in areas such as household bills, reporting repairs, liaising with other professionals and so on.