Supported Housing
What is supported
housing?
What does it include?
How can it help?
Who can get it?
What does it cost?
How do I get it?
Find out more
What is supported housing?
Supported housing is specially-designed accommodation, mainly for people aged 60 or over, which you can buy or rent from providers such as a Local Authority, housing association or private company. It may also be called 'sheltered housing', 'retirement housing' or 'supported living accommodation'.
What does it include?
It may include some or all of the following features:
- self-contained flats with their own kitchen and bathroom
- an on-site warden or manager, or connection via intercom with a warden service
- telecare services
- 24-hour community alarm service in case you need help
- a communal meeting area
- optional social activities
- managed landscaping
- security and safety features
Some developments, which are known as 'very-sheltered', 'extra-care' or 'close-care' housing, also offer personal care tailored to your individual needs, as well as providing warden services. You can also receive free personal and nursing care if you need it, as well as other types of Care at Home services. Some Supported Housing Associations also have local community centres.
How can it help?
Supported housing may be the answer if you want to live independently, in a smaller and easier-to-manage home with accessibility features, and with the reassurance of having someone to call on if there is an emergency.
'Extra-care' housing, 'very sheltered' housing and 'close-care' housing are available for people who are less able to manage on their own. The services they offer will vary, but meal services, help with domestic tasks and some personal care may be offered.
Who can get it?
While different developments and providers may have different eligibility criteria, most developments are open to people who are aged 60 or over. However, social rented housing is usually allocated on the basis of need and there is often a waiting list.
What does it cost?
If you rent supported housing from your Local Authority, charges for the support services you receive are normally included in the rent. You may be entitled to Housing Benefit or Pension Credit which could help you with paying your rent.
If you rent from another provider or buy supported housing, you may need to pay a regular service charge to cover all the support services you receive, including administration and maintenance costs. You may be entitled to Housing Benefit or Pension Credit, which could help you with paying your rent or some of the service charges.
How do I get it?
Ask your local Social Work Department for an Assessment of your Care Needs. You can also ask your GP, district nurse or health visitor to arrange an Assessment of your Care Needs for you. For more information about the assessment, see our page on Assessment of your Care Needs.
If you are thinking of privately renting or buying supported housing, you will need to find a provider.
To find supported housing in Scotland, visit the House Key directory on the Scottish Government website.
The Elderly Accommodation Counsel holds a directory of housing which includes supported and retirement housing across the UK.
Find out more
The Private Retirement Housing: Code of Practice for
Scotland sets out the standards that must be met in the
management of private retirement housing in Scotland.
Age
Scotland produce the following PDF fact sheet,
available to download from their website: 2s Buying retirement housing
The Scottish Housing Regulator publish inspection reports about supported housing managed by local authorities and housing associations.
Warden services are regulated by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland. Inspection reports and other information about regulated service can be found on the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland website.
last updated 27/05/2011
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