Social Housing for Pensioner

CobaltBlue_2

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lincroft1710

As a social housing tenant she would most probably be assessed on her needs which as a single person would be a 1 bed property. HAs have taken over many former council responsibilities regarding social housing.

Char89

Contact Anchor, they run over 700 retirement schemes which accept social housing. I used to work for them and can thoroughly recommend their schemes which also have an on site manager.

[Deleted User]

Your mother would have to go to the Local Authority to be assessed for her housing need. She should be accepted onto the housing register and able to bid for 1 bed properties.

She might also qualify for a discretionary housing payment for the portion of her rent not paid by LHA.

Most boroughs will list all social housing properties whether council owned or HA owned. HA properties may only be open to certain groups of people - like people with physical disabilities.

However as ALL social housing is in short supply, your mother may have problems bidding successfully unless she is given a higher than 'no need' banding. This however depends on the area she is living in. In my area, one bed and two bed properties only seem to go to people with A banding. This is my area though, where your mum lives might be different.

If your mum has unmet physical needs, she may be given a higher priority.

I hope this helps.

t0rt0ise

With regard to your question about Housing Associations, they rent out social housing, the equivalent of council houses, but some also rent out houses at higher rents that they call affordable rents, and then some at full market rent. Only the social housing is allocated by need, the others can be rented like any other private rentals.

luvchocolate

Hi check out the housing !!! for the over 55..Anchor are good but usually would only be offered a one bed..and they can be quite small, I have my name down with them also Chevin and Riverside !!!.
They told me in my chosen area should be housed within 2 yrs.

I am in private rent and paying more than the housing !!! rent.
They will be properties to view online to give you some idea...just google housing !!! in.the area she would like to be.

I have put my name on the council list but anything decent will have 30 bids in front of you..as non priority I cannot bid until the houses have been online for 3 days...so no chance for me.

PasturesNew

Every area is different. You need to research your local area thoroughly.

When I was looking for mum, I spoke to one who said "could be ages", put her on the list anyway and 2 months later she got a letter asking if she was interested in one (too late by then, she was beyond help).

But, also be aware that many of them turf tenants out when their circumstances change. e.g. I was looking round at care homes and spoke to somebody in one who had all her marbles/wasn't very old and was simply in there because she'd broken her leg - and she'd been told that the association had looked at her needs and could no longer provide her with a home, so she was having to go into care just because she'd broken her leg! It might be because they were small flats without any ramps/lifts, but she certainly didn't need "caring for" in the real sense of the word (dementia, elderly, frail). That one was Anchor.

missbiggles1

Does your mother have any medical requirements, perhaps like a ground floor flat?

*katie*

A lot sheltered housing is quite unpopular these days so it may well be possible for her to get accepted for a one bed flat in an over 55s scheme. Have a look at your local council's allocation policy - they vary between councils but the local council where I have has an entire band for older people with no particular housing need seeking sheltered accommodation.

ManofLeisure_2

I would also recommend ''Anchor Housing'' - an excellent scheme.

http://www.anchor.org.uk/

Rambosmum

Sounds like your mum is very able and independent and social housing is unlikely to be a good solution for her at this time - she would be eligible for a one bed flat, whether council or HA.

Sheltered or Extra Care housing is an option but it sounds as though your mum would be reluctant to do this and I'd agree at this point. These also come with additional costs, such as meals or wardens. They also tend to be full of elderly older people who can be frail or have dementia etc. Which may make your mum feel old or uncomfortable.

I'd wait until she was frailer/ in need of some additional support as at that time more options may appeal to her without removing her independence.

Obviously there is nothing stopping her from placing herself on the list, as she will be low priority her chances of being housed are reduced and it may take a while, but she must then be looking at properties which can meet her changing needs as she ages, rather than move again a few years after.

I'd be looking at ground floor, low rise block or bungalow, nice area with similar aged people. A lot of LAs have schemes specifically for over 50s or 60s but some lump older people in with young people, who may not be used to living independently - first flat to themselves, parties etc.