SAHA Services

Sheltered Housing

What is sheltered housing?

Sheltered housing provides accommodation in a safe, secure and supportive environment for people aged over 55 to live independently in their own homes. It usually consists of a group of bedsits, flats or bungalows which are connected to a Scheme Manager who lives on site, or to a call centre via a warden-call communication system. This system allows residents to contact someone in the event of an accident or emergency. There are usually pull cords in rooms within the property.

Sheltered schemes usually have communal facilities such as a lounge, laundry and security entry door systems. Some schemes have a guest room for visitors to use.

What support is provided?

SAHA has several schemes across the country that are designated for the over 55’s. Some have a Scheme Manager who lives on site, others have a Support Worker who visits, others may just have the external warden call system. Most, but not all, sheltered schemes are regulated by Supporting People from the Local Authority.

If there is a Scheme Manager / Support Worker, they are on duty for set hours during the week. They are there for the times when residents require help. The Scheme Manager / Support Worker will complete a risk assessment and support plan for each resident to identify their individual support needs, and will check on residents welfare on a daily basis. The Scheme Manager / Support Worker will arrange for any services that may be required from external agencies to be provided. This could include meals on wheels, help from Social Services or Health Authority agencies. The Scheme Manager / Support Worker will arrange social activities for residents and will encourage tenant participation.

The Scheme Manager / Support Worker is not allowed to administer medicines, carry out any nursing duties or any domestic duties such as cooking, cleaning or shopping. They cannot collect pensions or pay bills for residents.

The Scheme Manager / Support Worker will ensure equal opportunities and fair treatment to all residents, and will act honestly and with integrity at all times, ensuring that information about residents is held confidentially.

Who can apply for sheltered housing?

SAHA has a policy that anyone over 55 can apply for sheltered housing. In the case of couples, only one partner is required to be that age. To apply for sheltered housing the applicant has to demonstrate that they have some support need, not just be of the right age group. There is a support charge in addition to the weekly rental charge. The Supporting People team monitor that residents are receiving value for money and that they are receiving the support they are paying for by carrying out regular reviews of the service.

In some areas SAHA holds a waiting list for accommodation.  Click here for details of where SAHA holds a list. An application form can be obtained from our Customer Services Centre. Your application will be processed and properties are offered to those who are in greatest housing need. To help with this decision a points system is used. Once your application has been assessed you will be notified if you have been accepted onto the waiting list, and when a vacancy arises, the Housing Officer will contact you to carry out a home visit to assess your circumstances.

We do not hold waiting lists in all areas, however. In these cases you would need to be nominated by the Local Council from their waiting list. The Housing Officer contacts the Council when a vacancy arises. You would need to complete a form from the Local Council. We may also take referrals from recognised referral agents, e.g. hostels for homeless people.

We have an aids and adaptations policy, where adaptations to properties to enable you to live more comfortably can be considered. If you think you may need such adaptations carried out, please enquire with Customer Services. Click here for details of aids and adaptations

Where is SAHA’s sheltered accommodation located?

St Helens

Rothbury Court, Sutton Manor, St Helens 
Feeney Street, Sutton manor, St Helens
Forest Road, Sutton Manor, St Helens
Sheringham Close, Parr, St Helens

Manchester

Kitty Wheeldon Gardens, Ashton, Sale, Cheshire

Chesterfield

Monyash Close, Stavely, Chesterfield

Rotherham

Cromer Close, Rawmarsh Rotherham

Clapham

Mayfield Close, West Road, Clapham, London
Alver Court, West Road, Clapham

Wandsworth

Catherine Baird Court, 36 Balham High Street, Balham, London

Maldon

Hazelwood Court, Oak Road, Heybridge, Maldon Essex
Cecil Mary House, Victoria Road, Maldon Essex

Clacton on Sea

Florence House, Trafalgar Road, Clacton on Sea, Essex

Tunbridge Wells

Coles Court, Kingswood Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Charles Court, Pembury Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent