Alternative housing options

If you are finding it hard to manage in your current house or flat you may want to consider altering it to suit your needs. There is a lot of practical information about adaptations and equipment for the home in the Guide to Better Care and Support. You may feel, however, that moving to accommodation that is designed to meet your needs is a better solution, especially if you are not ready to move into permanent residential care.

General needs accomodation

This is classed as mainstream housing, tenants would have a long term tenancy, usually an assured tenancy with a Housing Association or a local authority. For example, Gosport Borough Council, tenants are responsible for all their bills, council tax and rent, although if tenants are eligible, they can claim housing benefit. Usually people with disabilities aim to remain housed in this accommodation on a long term basis unless their needs change so that they can no longer manage independent living.
Tenants can be offered floating support from various agencies to help with bills, budgeting and form filling.

Extra care housing

Extra care or very sheltered housing, offers an alternative to residential care, providing a range of quality services which ensure that you can live as independently as possible for as long as possible

• Read more about Extra care housing and how to access schemes that may meet your needs

Shared lives

Shared lives operates across the county and is run by Adult Services staff. Shared Lives carers take people with learning disabilities, for example, into their home and give them the support they need, in a family environment. Most people who use the scheme have a learning disability, but some people have a physical disability, a mental health issue or are older people who are unable to live alone.

• Read more about Shared lives and how to access schemes that may meet your needs

Shared ownership

Locality Housing Officers refer clients to a particular Housing Association that will be able to purchase a property off the open market for an individual and sell them a share so they will become shared owners. The part that the Housing Association own will be charged rent upon and housing benefit can pay this if the individual is eligible.

• Read more about Shared ownership and how to access schemes that may meet your needs

Sheltered housing

Sheltered housing is mainly for older people (over 60 years old) and usually takes the form of a group of small bungalows or flats supervised by a Scheme Manager, who can give you some help and support in an emergency. Some properties are also adapted for disabled use

• Read more about Sheltered housing and how to access schemes that may meet your needs

Supported housing

Supported Housing is accommodation designed to meet the particular needs of people with housing support needs.  Support is provided as a condition of living in the accommodation. Schemes vary in how much support they can give, ranging from support 24 hours a day to some schemes that provide support Monday – Friday 9-5pm or some have even less, for instance 1 or 2 hours a week

• Read more about Supported housing and how to access schemes that may meet your needs

Who can I discuss my housing needs with?

Normally Adult Services clients will ask their care managers about housing, and they then liaise with Locality Housing Officers (LHO) to identify appropriate housing.

Alternatively you could contact your local Locality Housing Officers personally to discuss your housing needs.

• Locality Housing Officer contacts - for help finding relevant housing  schemes in your area that may interest you and how to access them.