Sheltered Housing – Independent living in a

A5 Housing - Sheltered ind living_Layout 1 04/03/2010 15:57 Page 1
What type of help is available?
A scheme manager is based at each scheme. They will call you every day, if
required, to make sure everything is fine and to help with any problem that may
be worrying you.
Each property is linked to an alarm system so assistance is on hand at any time.
When the scheme manager is not at the scheme, the call will be directed to a
control centre where personnel can organise emergency assistance, contact your
GP or family.
How do I apply for sheltered accommodation?
Firstly you need to complete a HomeChoice application form. You can ask for one
by phoning 01634 334433. Priority will be given to people who have a local
connection with Medway, for example through living in the area recently,
employment or family connections.
Return the form to: Medway Council, Medway HomeChoice, Gun Wharf,
Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR.
When you are registered with Medway HomeChoice, you will be sent a reference
number and informed of your level of housing need. It is up to you to look for a
home. Available homes are advertised every week via:
• local free newspapers;
• Medway HomeChoice’s website (if you do not have internet access at home, a
full list of places you can use the internet is included in the information packs
provided to everyone joining Medway HomeChoice);
• Medway Council and local housing association offices;
• direct mail to you or someone
acting for you if you have difficulty
using other methods or you need
someone to help you with your
bidding. You can also bid via the
website:
www.medway.gov.uk/homechoice.htm
• You can only make one bid per property.
• You can bid for as many properties as you want each week, as long as you are
eligible for them.
• If the advertised property does not meet your housing needs, for example the
property is the wrong size, you will not be eligible for the property and will not
be considered for it.
• You must make your bid for the property before the advertised closing date.
If you bid by post, you must make sure that HomeChoice receives the bid before the
closing date for the property.
There are some additional rules about bidding for homes intended for older people,
sheltered accommodation and homes that have been adapted for disabled people.
After the closing date, a sheltered scheme manager will receive a list of everyone
who has made a bid. If your name is at the top of the priority list, a sheltered scheme
manager will contact you to arrange a meeting to make sure the accommodation is
suitable for your needs. You will then normally be invited to view the property. If you
refuse this property, the next person on the shortlist will be contacted.
Sheltered scheme managers are happy to answer questions regarding the
HomeChoice allocations process, please see contact us on the number below if you
need further information.
Who to contact
☎
Housing Services: 01634 333601
Housing Services, Medway Council, Gun Wharf
Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR
Email: housing@medway.gov.uk
Website: www.medway.gov.uk/shelteredhousing
Minicom: 01634 333111
This information can be made available in other formats
from 01634 333333
If you have any questions about this leaflet and you want to speak to someone in your own language
please ring 01634 335577
G4997 Published January 10. Designed by Medway Council’s Communications Team. www.medway.gov.uk/communications
Printed on recycled paper
Sheltered Housing – Independent
living in a readymade community
A5 Housing - Sheltered ind living_Layout 1 04/03/2010 15:57 Page 4
What is sheltered housing?
Esmonde House
Sheltered housing
sites in Medway
01634 405224
Flaxmans Court, Gillingham ME7 5AN
Medway Council’s sheltered housing might appeal to you if you want to live
independently, in a smaller and easier-to-manage home, are over 60, and like the
idea of having someone to call on if there is an emergency.
Sheltered housing promotes independent living, together with providing a
ready-made community. There are communal lounges where tenants can relax,
chat with friends and neighbours and join in with social events and activities. You
can choose whether or not you wish to participate.
25 studio flats; three one-bedroom
flats; a guest room; laundry;
a communal lounge and garden.
Woodchurch House
01634 372101
Woodchurch Cresent, Twydall ME8 6XA
24 studio flats; three large studio
wheelchair-accessible flats; four
one-bedroom flats; a guest room;
a communal lounge, garden and
laundry. Woodchurch Crescent has
18 sheltered one-bedroomed flats.
Esmonde house is located close to
Brompton high street.
Mountevans House 01634 850811
Woodchurch House is located close
to supermarkets and a post office.
Skinner Street, Gillingham ME7 1LA
23 one-bedroom flats; nine studio
flats; a guest room; laundry;
a communal lounge and garden.
You will be supported by a scheme manager who will keep regular contact with
you to help you with the quality of your day-to-day living; whilst enabling you to
stay independent in your home. The scheme manager will be available to give
advice about bill paying, form filling, arrange appointments with doctors, district
nurse, social services, carers; arrange repairs, help tenants to settle in and many
other forms of help and support, if needed.
Suffolk Court
01634 388864
Suffolk Avenue, Rainham ME8 7LB
24 studio flats; four
one-bedroom flats; a guest room;
laundry; a communal lounge and
garden. In Suffolk Avenue there
are 12 sheltered bungalows.
Mountevans House is located close
to shops, post office and library.
Suffolk Court is located close to
shops, church, health centre
and post office.
What type of accommodation is there?
Medway Council has eight sheltered housing schemes in Rainham and
Gillingham. The accommodation is available in one-bedroom flats, studio flats
and bungalows. The mix of properties varies from scheme to scheme.
What can you expect if you live
on a scheme?
• Your own front door.
• Freedom to come and go as you please.
• Scheme managers on site during office
hours Monday-Friday and help when
needed 24-hours a day, 7 days a week,
365 days a year.
• Social activities if you want to join in.
Can I visit to see for myself?
You are welcome to visit any one of our
schemes. Please contact the individual
scheme manager first to make an
appointment. The addresses and phone
numbers can be found via the map.
St.Marks House
01634 572723
Longford Court
01634 387604
Saxton Street, Gillingham ME7 5TW
Longford Close, Rainham ME8 8EN
25 studio flats; three one-bedroom
flats; a guest room; laundry;
a communal lounge and garden.
25 studio flats; three
one-bedroom flats; five bungalows;
a laundry; a communal lounge
and garden.
St Mark House is located close to
Gillingham High street, St Marks
Church, library and supermarkets.
Brennan House
01634 578741
Marlborough House 01634 375928
Victoria Street, Gillingham ME7 1EJ
High Street, Rainham ME8 8AF
25 studio flats; three one-bedroom flats;
four wheelchair-accessible flats; laundry;
a communal lounge and garden.
31 studio flats; three one-bedroom
flats; a guest room; laundry;
a communal lounge and garden.
Brennan House is located a short walk
from Gillingham railway station and
high street.
Marlborough House is located close to
shops, post office, health centre
and church.
Longford Court is located a short
walk from shops, post office,
health centre and church.