Independent living for people aged 60 and over
As we get older our needs change, but we still want to live independently. The choices available depend on your circumstances and where you want to live.
Hounslow Homes and the London Borough of Hounslow can provide a range of options for you, such as:
- Providing support in your current home
- Advising you of the ways you can move to a smaller home or to sheltered accommodation
Information on your options:
24 hour Linkline emergency service
Sheltered Housing in Hounslow - list of locations
Moving to a smaller property
You may decide that moving to a smaller home would suit your needs. It could be that your home is now too large, difficult to maintain or heat or restricts your mobility. If you think that moving to a smaller property would be ideal for you, you can apply to transfer/downsize to a smaller, more suitable property. You will need to complete a Housing Transfer form. Once your application is processed, you are automatically registered with Locata to enable you to bid for a property.
Trading Places
For Hounslow Homes’ tenants moving to a smaller property, there is a scheme available called Trading Places to help you move. As larger properties are in short supply and needed by many young families, you can receive £1,000 for every bedroom that becomes available when you move to a smaller property.
For example, if you move from a three-bedroom property to a one-bedroom home, you may be entitled to receive up to £2,000 - whatever the type and size of the property you are giving up. A high priority (banding) for bidding on Locata is given to anyone applying to transfer to a smaller property through the Trading Places scheme.
Moving to Sheltered Housing
Sheltered Housing is accommodation for people aged 60 and over who want to continue to live independently but want the reassurance that support is available. Applicants must have support needs, e.g. Meals on Wheels, homecare or some kind of daily assistance.
Eligibility is decided by a special needs panel that meets bi-weekly. This panel consists of Rehousing Officers, Occupational Therapists and Sheltered Housing Co-ordinators.
Hounslow Homes has sheltered schemes across the borough with scheme managers who look after the day to day running of the scheme and activity programmes for the residents. Every scheme provided by Hounslow Homes has a 'home from home' environment where residents can have the benefits of:
- privacy - each property has its own front door
- Sheltered Scheme Manager for support (please note: scheme managers cannot assist you with domestic or nursing care)
- Trained staff who understand the different cultural and religious needs of the diverse communities in Hounslow
- group activities (for those who want to participate)
- Access to communal gardens, lounge, kitchen and laundry,
- door entry systems
- All flats are connected to the Linkline service - in the absence of the scheme manager Linkline will answer calls and provide assistance if needed
When you apply for the scheme, one of our estate managers will visit you and assess your needs. They will also explain the weekly rent and additional support charge that is payable. Tenants can also apply for Housing Benefit.
Once you have been approved for sheltered housing, you will automatically become a member of the Locata scheme. The Locata scheme is a choice based letting system, where you can bid for a property. Some schemes may have waiting lists.
For more information about applying for sheltered housing, contact the Customer Service Centre or pick up an application form from your local housing office. You can also book an appointment to view a Sheltered Scheme by contacting the Sheltered Scheme Manager.
For more Information on Locata visit www.locata.org.uk
You can also see a list of sheltered housing loctations at the bottom of this page
Staying in your home
24 hour Linkline emergency service
We provide an immediate response telephone service called Linkline where you can contact someone straight away in an emergency. Staff are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Linkline service is available to any resident living in Hounslow including tenants, leaseholders and private residents.
Adaptations to your home
You can continue to live at home with the help of adaptations that can be made to your home. Adaptations include handrails and widened doorways and ramps for wheelchairs. You can contact Social Services for an Occupational Therapist to visit your home and carry out an assessment of your needs.
If you own your home, the London Borough of Hounslow provides a service called 'Care and Repair'. They provide confidential advice and support to you for repairs and adaptations in your home. The service is available to anyone over 60 living in Hounslow.
Contacts
Linkline - 020 8583 4400
Handy Persons Scheme/Care and Repair Hounslow - 020 8583 3878
Customer Service Centre - 0800 085 65 75 Minicom 0800 389 9830
If you live in the private sector in the London Borough of Hounslow please call: 020 8583 4402 or 020 8583 4403
Or you can write to:
Rehousing Unit
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Sheltered Housing in Hounslow
If you are thinking of moving to sheltered housing but would like to visit before you decide, contact the Rehousing Unit to arrange an appointment to visit. To find out where sheltered housing is available in Hounslow, see the lists below for locations.
West Area - Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth
Burlington House, Bedfont Green Staines Road Bedfont
*David Henry Waring Court, Staines Road Bedfont
Edward Pauling House, Westmacott Drive Feltham
Lavender Court Becketts Close Harlington Rd West Feltham
Rose Gardens Feltham
Owen House, Shore Close Feltham
Rectory Court Fernside Avenue, Hanworth
NB - David Henry Waring Court is managed by a charitable trust. Applicants should live in Bedfont or Feltham and be in receipt of Housing Benefit. Contact the Rehousing Unit for more information about this scheme.
East Area - Brentford and Chiswick
Danehurst, Brent Lea, Brentford
Fenn House, Lodge Close Isleworth
Griffin Court Walnut Tree Road Brentford
Harnage House Clayponds lane Brentford
Jessop House Kirton Close Chiswick
Lambert Lodge Layton Road Brentford
Loraine Road Chiswick
The Maltings, Spring Grove Chiswick
Meadowcroft, Brooks Road Chiswick
Central Area - Hounslow, Isleworth and Heston
Boswood Court, Ede Close Hounslow
Cooper House, Maitland Close Hounslow
Derwent Lodge Star Road Isleworth
Everglades Inwood Avenue Hounslow
Frogley House Estridge Close Hounslow
Greenham House Stanborough Road Isleworth
Heath Court Benham Gardens Hounslow
Hogarth Court Vicarage Farm Road Heston
Hyde House Pears Road Hounslow
Kirkstone Lodge Summerwood Road Isleworth
Sycamore Court Barrack Road Hounslow
Wynne Court Hartland Road Isleworth