• What is sheltered housing
• How to apply
• How much it costs
• What is an alarm system
• How to get help
• What the warden is supposed to do
• Other information

What is sheltered housing?

Sheltered housing is where each home is fitted with a special alarm system to make sure help is available at any time in an emergency.  It also has the services of a warden who contacts you every day.

We provide sheltered housing to help you to continue to live safely and independently with the support you may need and want.

View our Sheltered Housing Policies here.

Back to top

How to apply

If you are interested in moving into sheltered housing, you can apply by filling in a housing application form and a medical form.  You can download the forms from our website or pick one up from our area housing offices.  We will consider the information you give us and award points depending on the living conditions and problems you face at your current address.  We then put your name on the housing waiting list.  When a vacancy comes up in a scheme, we consider all applications on the list for that area.  We will offer the tenancy to the person with the most points.

Back to top

How much it costs

The amount you will pay depends on your income.

• Rent - If you have a limited income, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help with the rent.  Different schemes in Moray have different rents.  The actual amount for a property is given in the offer letter we send you.  Rents vary from around £26 to £45 a week depending on where the scheme is and the facilities available within the scheme.
• Service charge - This is a charge you pay on top of rent.  Since 1 April 2003, under Supporting People legislation, we have had to meet the costs of the alarm systems and the warden services in a new way.  The amount you will pay depends on your income.  If you get Housing Benefit, you will not have to pay for service charges. The weekly cost is currently £25 (at July 2003).  While this sounds quite a lot, we ask you to remember that the wardens are trained to provide a high-quality service.  We also test and maintain the alarm systems to make sure that they are working properly at all times.

Back to top

What is an alarm system?

We have fitted various systems in every unit of sheltered housing to protect tenants.

• Community alarm systems - We fit these in every unit of sheltered housing to make sure that you can get help easily when you need it.  We will give you a pendant to wear and there are pull cords throughout the house.  The community alarm system works through the phone lines.
• Smoke alarms - The smoke alarm will sound whenever levels of smoke or heat reach a dangerous level.  We service them at least every year to make sure that they will work when you need them.  Smoke alarms are linked to the electricity supply in the house and have a battery as well for backup in case you have a power cut.
• Carbon-monoxide alarms - We fit carbon-monoxide alarms in the same way.  They can detect dangerous gases that have no smell.  If gases are found, the alarm will make a loud sound.  We service these alarms every year.

Back to top

How to get help

You just need to press the pendant button or pull the cord.  This gives you immediate voice contact with the warden on duty, or the control centre when the warden is off duty. You will hear a ‘beep’ to tell you that your call has gone through.  Either the warden on duty or a member of staff at the control centre will talk to you and find out what the problem is.  If you cannot be heard, the warden (or another person you have chosen to keep a spare key to your house) will come to help you. If you cannot open the door and no-one can get in using a key, we will call the police.  They will be present if the door needs to be forced open.

You can ask for help at any time of the day or night and as often as you need it.

Please do not tie up the pull cords at any time.

Back to top

If the warden is not there

It is not possible for the warden to be there all the time, but the alarm system is.  If the warden is not available, the alarm system is switched to the control centre.  The staff there will get help for you from one of the people you have chosen to keep a spare key or from the Emergency Services.

Back to top

What the warden is supposed to do

The warden on duty will contact you every day, usually by visiting.  The warden will make sure that you are safe, comfortable and are keeping as well as possible.  They will arrange help for you if you need it (for example, getting the nurse, doctor or home help, or by arranging repairs to the property).

They can provide emergency help such as getting a prescription if you don’t have anyone to get it for you and you need the medicine urgently, or can make a simple meal.  However, this has to be very limited because there are others who may need help too.  The main task is to make sure that you get the help you need.

Back to top

Other information

If your heating stops working

You can call the warden if you have any problems with heating or anything else in your home.

Pets

You can keep a pet in sheltered housing but you must tell the warden about it. If you have a pet, you must keep it under control.  You must look after your pet properly and make sure it is not a nuisance to your neighbours.

Regulation

Sheltered Housing services are regulated by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (This link will open in a new window)

Back to top