This a short guide to the various housing options that you might
want to think about.
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.
At present there is only one of these schemes district. However,
we are expecting a new extra care scheme to be developed in
Witham.
Gt Bradfords Court, Braintree opened in 2007. In you are
interested in finding out more about this scheme please contact:-
Abbeyfields
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: