Sheltered housing

Sheltered housing is for people who are aged 50 years and over and are in need of some support to live independently.

Sheltered housing in Waltham Forest

In 2009, the Council introduced a new way of allocating sheltered accommodation to housing applicants. All sheltered housing vacancies are now advertised through the Choice Homes magazine instead of the Council making a direct offer. This allows sheltered housing applicants to take a more active role in choosing where they want to live.

People who are aged 50 years and over and are in need of some support to live independently can bid for a number of Council and housing association sheltered schemes. Sheltered housing, or warden-controlled housing, offers independent, secure living for older people in a community setting, with the option to participate in social activities.

Residents have their own flat or studio with their own front door, rent book and tenancy agreement. Some properties are suitable for couples while others would suit a single occupant. Each scheme has a manager on hand during office hours from Monday to Friday. There is also a 24 hour alarm service and security with controlled door entry systems.

Who can apply?

To apply you will need to be placed on the Council's Housing register and be aged 50 years and over. We also welcome applications from customers in other boroughs that may have a connection with the Waltham Forest area.

If you would like to comment on the change or require more information, please contact the Allocations, Choice and Mobility Team on 020 8496 3000.

What is sheltered housing?

• Sheltered housing helps you to live independently
• It gives you a home of your own with the support of a sheltered housing manager
• It provides the company of people your own age
• Somewhere that is cosy and easier to manage than your old home

Levels of support

The Council and some housing associations have sheltered schemes in Waltham Forest. There are different types of support:

• Council sheltered housing - some scheme managers live on site and all provide direct support
• Housing association sheltered housing which has varying types of support:
  - 24-hour sheltered housing manager
  - Part-time sheltered housing manager
  - Visiting sheltered housing manager
  - Alarm only

What does the sheltered housing manager do?

• Manages the scheme
• Helps in emergencies
• Gives practical support
• Makes daily visits if required
• Arranges visits by district nurses, home helps and meals-on-wheels, social workers, doctors, chiropodists and others

What types of flats are available?

There is a range of flats:

• Fully self-contained flats
• Studio flats with shared bathrooms
• Studio flats with one main room, separate kitchen and toilet

Who lives in sheltered housing?

Elderly people usually of retirement age who need some support to live independently.

Priority is given to people:

• With disabilities or with long-term health problems
• Living in unsuitable homes
• Who are socially isolated

Any Waltham Forest resident can apply for sheltered housing. If you own a home there may be other options for you depending on the value of your home.

How much does it cost?

The rent and service charges are reasonable. They depend on the facilities the sheltered housing unit offers.

If you are worried about the cost, you can apply for Housing Benefit. The Council and the Benefits Agency can give you advice about this.

Supporting People

Supporting People is a government programme which funds housing-related support services including: general information and advice, advocacy, community alarms, home improvements, assistance with education and employment plans, and life skills training.

This support can be provided either within your own home or within a specialist housing scheme such as sheltered housing, hostels or refuges. You will be assessed to see whether you are entitled to this service.

If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit, these services are free of charge and Supporting People funding would be paid to your support provider. If you do not receive Housing Benefit and support is tied to long-term housing, Waltham Forest needs to charge for support services. We will do this fairly; if you cannot afford to pay you will not be expected to. You can apply for an assessment under the Fairer Charging Policy.

Find out more about the Supporting People programme

Sheltered accommodation: schemes and contact details

Scheme name	Details
Boothby Court 15 Ashindon Close Chingford London E4 6XT	Manager: Margaret Rickard Tel 020 8524 9232
Clifton House 4 Beachcroft Road London E11 3PN	Manager: Mrs Christine Ladoja Tel 020 8539 1100
Dilwyn Court Hillyfields London E17 6BZ	Manager: Octavia Balson Tel 020 8527 1914
Downlands Court 1 Lancaster Road London E11 3EG	Manager: Olga Lloyd Tel 020 8558 5532
Goddarts House 23 Hoe Street London E17 4RZ	Manager: Mrs Meenah Bergman Tel 020 8521 5313
Holland House 33 Linnet Close Larkshall Road London E4 6UB	Manager: Linda Savage Tel 020 8524 0032
Holmcroft House 14 Orford Road London E17 9LL	Manager: Mrs Juliet Simms Tel 020 8509 1911
Lime Court 5 Western Road London E17 9DL	Manager: Amanda Brigdale Tel 020 8521 1606
Longfield House 35 Netley Road London E17 7PZ	Manager: Salma Khan Tel 020 8509 0844
Pelly Court Summit Road London E17 9JZ	Manager: Mrs Jenny Salvatore Tel 020 8520 5769
Plaxton Court 2A Woodhouse Road London E11 3PD	Manager: Christine Ladoja Tel 020 8519 8876
The Chantry 2-8 The Ridgeway London E4 6QL	Manager: Margaret Rickard Tel 020 8524 3738
Turners Court 2 Drapers Road London E15 2AQ	Interim manager: Olga Lloyd Tel 020 8558 5532
Winters Court 115 Alpha Road London E4 6TE	Manager: Mrs Carol Gordon Tel 020 8524 7191

More information

You can download a leaflet about sheltered housing in Waltham Forest here (954KB PDF file, document reference DP07-2293 June 2008).

Download the Sheltered Housing Referral form (111KB PDF file)

Back to TOP