Sheltered Housing

What is Sheltered Housing?

Sheltered housing is specially designed accommodation, available to rent for people of pensionable age or those who may have a particular need for this accommodation. The accommodation would be completely self-contained and rented from a Housing Association.

Sheltered housing can offer you a range of services to help you live independently with the added security of having someone to call on in emergencies.

Please note Sheltered accommodation is not like a residential care home. If you are unable to live independently and need a very high level of support please contact Hampshire County Council Adult Social Services. Please click on the following link for contact details: Homes for the elderly

What can Sheltered Housing offer?

A Scheme Manager
A chance to meet new friends
A friendly and caring environment
An assured tenancy
A floating support service
Choice to furnish and decorate your own flat to your own taste

Sheltered accommodation is different from other social housing because in many schemes a scheme manager or warden will usually be on site during working hours (Mon – Fri). Scheme Managers can also be contacted out of hours, or in an emergency through an alarm system. Some sheltered schemes do not have a scheme manager or warden on site, however, tenants have the option to have a weekly visit from a duty scheme manager if this needed.

Some Sheltered schemes will have communal facilities such as a laundry room or communal lounge.

Within the Borough of Havant the following Housing Associations provide sheltered housing schemes:

Abbeyfield
Downland Housing Association
Guinness Hermitage Housing Association
Housing 21
Southern Housing Group / James Butcher Housing Grop
Twynham Housing Association

If you would like to considered please go to the How do I apply? section on this page.

Guests at Sheltered Schemes

Some sheltered schemes will offer guest room accommodation to relatives and friends of sheltered housing tenants. There is a small charge for this service at schemes where applicable.

Pets at Sheltered Schemes

Other than small caged or tanked pets such as birds or fish, pets are only allowed by prior written permission at the discretion of the housing association that operates the scheme. The usual rule applied to this would be if the front door to the accommodation opens onto a shared corridor or staircase, permission will not be granted for tenants to keep a dog or a cat. If you do keep a pet it is your responsibility and you must make arrangements to have it adequately cared for if you go away or become ill. Scheme managers or wardens will not look after your pet for you.

Televisions at Sheltered Schemes

You may also be eligible for a concessionary TV licence.

How to apply for Sheltered Housing

Havant Borough Council operates a Choice Based Lettings scheme for allocating 'general needs' and Sheltered cccommodation. This is known as Hampshire Home Choice. For further information about the scheme please contact the Housing Services Team, details can be found below.

If you would like to apply for Sheltered accommodation you can either:

Complete an on-line application form by visiting the Hampshire Home Choice website. Please click on this link: Hampshire Home Choice .

Or alternatively to request a paper copy of the form please contact Housing Services directly. Please click on this link for contact details: Housing Services Team.

What will happen once I have applied for Sheltered Housing?

Once your application has been assessed and registered you will be sent a registration letter explaining which priority band you have been placed in and your date of registration. This letter will give you a registration log-in number for Hampshire Home Choice and is proof that your application has been accepted.

Your housing needs will be assessed from the information you provide on your housing application form. Factors such as medical conditions can be taken into consideration. Applicants who wish for these needs, in relation to their housing application, to be considered will need to complete an additional Medical and Welfare Assessment form. These forms are available on request from the Housing Services Team .

Havant Borough Council, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX