Housing 21 is committed to promoting independence and choice for older people through quality housing care and support.

Housing choices for older people in Oldham

Introduction In this booklet you will find out all you need to know about the housing choices that are available with Housing 21 in Oldham and how to rent a home from us.

We also explain the difference between sheltered housing (page 5) and Extra Care housing (page 9) so that you can make an informed choice.

For a full range of housing options please go to www.fcho.co.uk or contact Oldham Housing Options Centre on 0800 328 7788. Other useful contact numbers and addresses are listed at the back of this booklet.

Contents

Page 2 About Housing 21

Page 3 About Housing 21 in Oldham

Page 4 Sheltered housing explained: Why choose sheltered housing? Why choose a Housing 21 property?

Page 5 The role of the Court Manager How to apply for a sheltered home with us Need a smaller home?

Page 6 What happens next?

Page 7 Housing 21 sheltered courts in Oldham Housing 21 bungalows in Oldham

Page 8 Extra care housing explained: What is Extra Care housing? What is the accommodation like?

Page 9 How to apply for a home in an Extra Care court Where are the Extra Care courts located?

Page 1

About Housing 21

We are a leading provider of housing, care and health options for older people. We offer a complete service to meet our customers’ changing needs. We began in 1964 as part of the Royal British Legion, but changed our name to Housing 21 in 1992. We work with all older people, not just those with a service background. Housing 21 currently manage over 17,500 sheltered and Extra Care apartments and bungalows in over 400 schemes throughout the country.

Page 2

About Housing 21 in OldhamIn October 2006, Housing 21 entered into a 30 year multi million pound contract with Oldham Council to manage and maintain much of its sheltered housing and provide support services to tenants. Throughout the contract the Council retains ownership of the properties, whilst we act as managing agents.

For the first five years, we are working alongside our construction partner Bullock, who have responsibility for carrying out the major improvement works to both bungalows and flats, known as Housing 21 courts.

These works include the demolition and re-building of Lees House and Wood Square in Greenfield as well as construction of Tandle View Court in Royton. Over 800 bungalows have been refurbished. In addition, we have re-modelled and improved blocks of flats. Eight Extra Care Courts are to be created too.

This will ensure that there is a good choice of properties for older people available in Oldham.

This major undertaking is not just about refurbishing existing homes. It is also about improving the quality of life for older people. We want to:

• Promoteindependenceandchoice.

• Encouragehealthandwellbeing.

• Deliverbetterservices.

• Helppromotesocialactivities.

• Providecommunitydevelopmentopportunities.

All our homes come with the support of a dedicated Court Manager and Helpline, the 24 hour backup call centre. As a Housing 21 tenant, you can choose the level of contact that suits you.

Page 3

Sheltered housing explainedWhy choose sheltered housing?

Sheltered housing is a good option to consider if you are over 60 years of age. Most people like the idea of living independently, but with the reassurance of knowing that help is at hand if needed. This is why sheltered housing is such a popular choice for many of our tenants.

Sheltered housing provides everyone with the security of their own home as well as the benefit of being able to access onsite support and facilities.

Why choose a Housing 21 property?

There are a number of reasons why you should consider choosing to live in a property managed by Housing 21:

• By2012allhomeswillhavebeenimprovedtoahighstandardprovidingsecure, comfortable, modern, more accessible facilities.

• Wemanageover1,400propertiesinlocationsacrossOldham.

• Accommodationconsistsofselfcontainedoneandtwobedroomflatsorbungalows, designed for single people or couples.

• Wealsoofferachoiceofhousing,includingExtraCarehousingforolder people who already have some care and support needs.

• AprofessionalanddedicatedCourtManagerisbasedonsiteduringtheworking day.

• EverypropertyhasanemergencyintercomsystemlinkedtotheCourtManager’s office. When the Court Manager is off duty, out of hours support is provided by the Helpline service.

• WearealeadingproviderofcareandsupportforolderpeopleinEngland and can provide practical help and personal care to suit your needs, however your care and support is funded.

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Page 5

The role of the Court Manager

The Court Manager is available during office hours for any emergencies and to deal with housing related matters. They keep in regular contact with tenants, report on maintenance issues, help tenants to organise social activities and liaise with care providers, relatives and Adult Services. The Court Manager will also complete a Support Plan for each tenant to ensure the services received are appropriate and up to date.

How to apply for a sheltered home with us

Our homes are allocated through the Housing Options Choice Based Lettings system, with the exception of Extra Care. (Please see page 9). Before you can apply for one of our homes you must join the council’s housing register by completing the re-housing application form and generally be over 60. You can still be considered if you are younger and have a proven need for supported accommodation due to vulnerability or disability.

Forms are available from the Housing Options Centre, 1 Medtia Square or can be downloaded on line at: www.fcho.co.uk

Need a smaller home?

If you are finding your existing accommodation difficult to maintain, expensive to heat or too isolated from shops and services, you may wish to consider if it would be beneficial to move from your current home.

Oldham Council operates a downsizing scheme and additional priority, help and support is available to you if you would be releasing a family sized property that’s owned by the Council or one of the local housing associations.

If you would like more information, contact details can be found on the back cover.

Band 1 Urgent

•Seriousmedicalneedthatrequiresimmediate re-housing.

•Socialorwelfareneedswherethereis an imminent risk of exploitation, abuse or loss of daily living skills.

Band 2 High

•Seriousovercrowding–shortageof2 or more bedrooms.

•Councildemolitionschemesorsubject to CPO within 6 months.

•Priorityhomeless.•Livinginshort-termsupportedhousing

and ready to move to independent living. •LivinginsocialhousinginOldhamand

moving would release a family home.

Band 3 Medium

•Livinginunsanitaryconditions.•Scheduledfordemolitionotherthan

those in high housing need.•Medicalneedwherere-housingwill

significantly resolve the problem.•Socialorwelfareneedswherethereis

a risk of placement breakdown or loss of daily living skills.

•Aneedtomovetoalocalitywhere failure to do so would result in hardship.

•Non-priorityhomeless.•Overcrowding–shortageof1bedroom.

Band 4 Standard

•Everyoneelse,withpreferencegiven to the applicant with the earliest registration date.

What happens next?The current allocations policy is based on housing need. However, it should be noted that priorities are continually under review and may change in the future. At the moment, depending on your circumstances you will be placed in one of four banding groups below.

When a Housing 21 property becomes available, we notify Housing Options and it is advertised along with the other available properties. The Choice Based Lettings advert appears on line every Thursday. The advert is also displayed at the Housing Options Centre.

Applicants have until 4.30pm the following Wednesday to bid for any properties suitable for their needs. There are a number of ways you can do this.

• Bybiddingonline(visitwww.fcho.co.uk)

• ByringingorvisitingtheHousingOptionsCentre,MedtiaSquare, Tel 0800 328 7788

• ByvisitingAccessOldhamattheCivicCentre,Oldham,whereyoucanbid on line, or use the free phone to make a bid.

Page 6

Sheltered court 1 bed 2 bed Total

Chew Vale, Greenfield OL3 5DP 17 0 17

Holland Close, Gartside Street, Delph OL3 5DP 24 0 24

Hood Square, Springhead OL4 5SL 30 0 30

Lees House, Further Hey Close, Lees OL4 3LE 10 4 14

Lido House, Oldham Road, Grotton OL4 4LS 15 6 21

Millgate, Hollins Road, Oldham OL8 3 UX 38 17 55

School House, Incline Road, Hollinwood OL8 4QF 26 1 27

Springlees Court, Oldham Road, Springhead OL4 5TP 30 1 31

Throstle Court, Middleton Road, Royton OL2 5LP 21 8 29

Violet Hill Court, Cobden Street, Waterhead OL4 2SS 30 18 48

Wood Square, Greenfield OL3 7FS 12 4 16

Area 1 bed 2 bed Total

Alt 11 0 11Chadderton 116 148 264Failsworth 175 0 175Greenfield 0 6 6Hathershaw 41 0 41Hollinwood 42 1 43Holts Village 109 0 109Lees 11 1 12Primrose Bank 11 0 11Royton 33 0 33Shaw 104 0 104Waterhead 5 0 5

Once the closing date for bids has passed, Housing Options send the list of bids to us. We then make offers to the successful applicants, arrange to view the property and help to complete all the necessary paperwork.

To see properties that are currently available visit www.fcho.co.uk, where you will also find links to all other housing associations’ accommodation listings for that week and other general Housing Options advice.

Housing 21 sheltered courts in Oldham

Page 7

Housing 21 also manage one and two bedroom bungalows across Oldham. The areas are listed below.

Housing 21 bungalows in Oldham

Extra Care housing explained What is Extra Care housing?

For some people Extra Care housing is increasingly being seen as providing a positive alternative to residential care. It is a way of supporting residents who already have some care and housing needs to remain independent.

Extra Care is a new and evolving service in Oldham. It aims to enable residents to maintain choice and control over their daily lives. Housing 21 is working in partnership with Oldham Council to enable personal care to be available on site across our eight Extra Care courts.

What is the accommodation like?

Extra Care housing in Oldham consists of independent self-contained flats (one or two bedroom) within a court that has a range of additional facilities available including:

• Restaurant.

• Residents’loungewhereavarietyofsocialactivitiestakeplace.

• Assistedbathroom.

• Laundryroomwithwashinganddryingfacilities.

• Hairdressing/therapyroom.

• Ensuiteguestroomforhirebyvisitingfamilyorfriends.

All our Extra Care and sheltered courts have design features to allow easy access for people with mobility problems or disabilities (lifts and ramped access).

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Page 9

How to apply for a home in an Extra Care court

Unlike sheltered housing, all Extra Care flats will be allocated following an approved referral and assessment process and will not be advertised through Oldham Council’s Housing Options Choice Based Lettings system.

All referrals will be considered by the Extra Care Housing Panel which has full responsibility for approving new tenancies. Panel meetings are held regularly. If there are no vacancies at the time your application is approved you will be placed on the Extra Care waiting list.

Extra Care courts 1 bed 2 bed Total

Aster House, Aster Street, Coldhurst OL1 2JT 30 3 33

Charles Morris House, Pendragon Place, Failsworth M35 9GR 25 5 30

Hopwood Court, Thornham Road, High Crompton OL2 7LR 34 2 36

Old Mill House, Old Mill Lane, Springhead OL4 5TS 36 6 42

St Herbert’s Court, Wellington Street, Chadderton OL9 0JD 12 12 24

Tandle View Court, Rochdale Road, Royton OL2 5QT 47 12 59

Trinity House, Godson Street, Coldhurst OL1 2XL 38 15 53

Walton House, Grafton Street, Failsworth M35 9DX 17 7 24

Step 1

You must be registered on Oldham Council’s housing register.

Step 2

You must undergo an assessment by Adult Social Care services.

Step 3

If you are assessed as being suitable for Extra Care your application will then be considered by the Extra Care Housing Panel.

Where are the Extra Care Courts located?

The eight Extra Care courts are located throughout the borough. We have provided brief details on the list below. However, more information about their specific location, facilities and whether personal care and 24 hour support is currently available can be obtained by contacting us at Housing 21 on 0345 604 4447.

If you would like this document in a different format, for example large print, Braille, audio tape or another language please telephone our Oldhamofficeon–03456044447

Please use the contacts below if you would like to find out more about any aspect of housing choices for older people in Oldham.

Housing 21 2nd Floor The Meridian Centre King Street Oldham OL8 1EZ

Telephone: 0345 604 4447 Fax: 0370192 4445 E mail: oldhamenquiries@housing21.co.uk

Adult Social Care Services – AdultDutyandInterventionService The Link Centre 140 Union Street OldhamOL11DZ

Telephone: 0161 770 1515 Fax: 0161 770 6909 E mail: adis@oldham.gov.uk

Oldham Housing Options Centre 1 Medtia Square Phoenix Street Oldham OL1 1AN

Telephone: 0800 328 7788 Web site: www.fcho.co.uk

Oldham Downsizing Scheme 1 Medtia Square Phoenix Street Oldham OL1 1AN

Telephone: 0161 770 4766

Age Concern Oldham Church Lane Oldham OL1 3AN

Telephone: 0161 633 0213

E mail: oldhamageconcern@btclick.com Web site: www.oldham-ageconcern.co.uk

Other services for older people in OldhamOldham Council’s Adult Social Care Services offers a range of facilities and services to assist to older people to maintain a good quality of life. The services provided include home support workers, a community alarm service, day centres, respite care and social work support. If you need more information, contact details can be found below.

Age Concern Oldham can offer an independent support and information service to older people, their relatives or carers, who require assistance. The service is free, confidential and impartial. For more information you will find contact details below.