LATEST NEWS......LATEST NEWS......New Extra Care Scheme, Helen Court, Witham due for completion summer 2010
For further details follow the link below to the Extra Care page
-details of Helen Court new extra care scheme

Remaining in your Present Home

If you would like to stay where you are, but are starting to find it difficult to manage, there is a wide range of help available.

There is a list of support and advocacy services, most of whom will be able to offer advice and access to services to help you remain in your home.

There are various grants available from the Council to help you make your home more suitable for your occupation and if you want details of these you should contact the Environmental Services Department of the Council.

Thinking about other Housing Options

Many older people continue to live in the same property for many years, but for some people there comes a time when they begin to think about moving to a home that is easier to manage. For example:

·        a smaller home

·        more economical to heat

·        without stairs

·        a smaller garden

·        no garden

Social Rented Housing

The council transferred its housing stock in November 2007 to Greenfield's Community Housing. There are also a number of other housing associations that offer accommodation for rent, including bungalows or sheltered accommodation.

If this is something you are thinking about speak to your Estate Manager in the first instance or contact the council’s Housing Advisory Service for an informal chat.

Sheltered Housing

Sheltered accommodation gives you independence in your home so you can come and go as you please, but there is always help in an emergency and a door entry system to keep away unwanted callers.

The aim of this type of housing is to provide individual, easily managed apartments (occasionally bungalows), which enable older people to retain their privacy, dignity and independence. A House Manager or Scheme Co-ordinator can help co-ordinate a whole range of services to enable you to continue as and when your circumstances change.

Sheltered Housing obviously has its limitations as to the support it can provide.

Retirement Sheltered Housing for Sale

You may currently own your own home but wish to move to a smaller home or one with lower maintenance costs. In the Braintree District, there are quite a few retirement housing schemes where you may purchase on a leasehold basis, subject to availability.

These properties are usually modern and purpose-built, located on sites where all the residents are over 55 years of age.

Local estate agents will also be able to give you advice on retirement housing for sale in the district.

Extra Care Sheltered Housing

This type of housing offers more support and services than traditional sheltered housing.

There are two Extra Care Schemes in the District: Great Bradfords Court in Braintree and Helen Court in Witham.  For further information about extra care please follow the link below:
-Extra Care Housing in the Braintree District

Housing Associations

This link will direct you to the list of housing associations who offer accommodation in the Braintree District.

How to Make Application for Rented Housing:

Many of the housing associations offer their accommodation via the Gateway to Homechoice Housing Register which is held by the council. You can view and express your interest on properties across seven districts which include Braintree, Maldon, Colchester, Ipswich, Suffolk Coastal, Mid-Suffolk and Barbergh

Therefore in the first instance please contact:

CBL Assessment Team Tel: 01376 552525

You can now register on line by visiting www.gatewaytohomechoice.org.uk  or over the telephone: