Getting older

Any of us may need help with our housing needs as we get older. Sheltered housing is a term used to describe self-contained flats or bungalows owned by the council and available to older people. These services are tailored to suit the needs of the individual. Our aim is to promote and secure independence for older people in a safe, easy to manage home of their own.

The council has 11 specially-built schemes, but also offers other types of accommodation as well. Any tenant over 60 in Dudley can also request the support of a visiting member of staff to their home.

To apply for accommodation, or for further information about the services offered by sheltered housing, do not hesitate to call us on 01384 812345 and speak to one of our trained operatives who will be happy to assist you.

What is sheltered housing?

Sheltered housing is the term given to a group of self-contained flats or bungalows available to older people. Tenants in sheltered housing have the support of members of staff who visit at agreed intervals and promote people’s independence, quality of life, and good health. Each person is assessed individually upon entry to the scheme. We understand how older people treasure their independence and aim to help them to retain this as much as possible.

Sheltered housing offers people:

A safe, secure,warm, and easy to manage place to live
Support from sheltered housing staff to promote independence
Peace of mind by knowing that each property is linked to the Home Call emergency alarm system
Their own tenancy – with legal rights
Their own front door

Who is sheltered housing for?

Sheltered housing is just another choice of accommodation available to older people. To be eligible applicants have to be over the age of 60. In some instances disabled people under 60 may be eligible (speak to our specialist lettings officers for further advice). Sheltered housing is also available to owner-occupiers but is governed by certain limitations.

At council schemes communal facilities are available for tenants to use, enabling them to enrich their social life by meeting other residents and joining in with activities and events. We feel that maintaining people’s dignity and privacy is essential and is a policy which is respected by all staff. Our sheltered schemes are a place where we believe residents can enjoy life to the full.

Sheltered housing schemes

The council has 11 specially built sheltered housing schemes, each offering:

Central heating
Communal lounge, general use kitchen, laundries and stores
Staff available on site
Home Call emergency alarm system
Opportunities for social events, day trips and holidays
Specialist bathing facilities
Shared gardens and outdoor facilities

The accommodation offered differs within schemes but is usually a one bedroom flat with a fitted kitchen, a combined bathroom and toilet, bedroom, and lounge. We also have some bedsits available where the living accomodation is in an open-plan layout.

The 11 schemes are:

The Gables
Enville Road, Wall Heath, Kingswinford DY6 0NL
Scheme Manager: 01384 815465
Mobile: 07799 070903

Woodhouse Court
Sheffield Street, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill DY5 1EB
Scheme Manager: 01384 815464
Mobile: 07799 070917

Netherton Lodge
Simms Lane, Netherton, Dudley DY2 0PQ
Scheme Manager: 01384 812663
Mobile: 07799 070904

Beulah Court
Stourbridge Road, Halesowen B63 3UR
Scheme Manager: 0121 550 1370
Mobile: 07799 070901

Holloway Court
Beecher Place, Halesowen
B63 2ED
Scheme Manager: 01384 565575
Mobile: 07799 070909

Margaret Vine Court
Moat Drive, Blackheath, Halesowen B62 9PY
Scheme Manager: 01384 812470
Mobile: 07799 070902

Church View
Church Street, Lower Gornal DY3 2PF
Scheme Manager: 01902 677538
Mobile: 07799 070906

Joe Jones Court
Tower Street, Sedgley DY3 1PF
Scheme Manager: 01902 678152
Mobile: 07799 070900

Jack Newell Court
Jevon Street, Coseley, Dudley WV14 9LW
Scheme Manager: 01384 812420
Mobile: 07799 070920

Grange Court
Prescot Road, Stourbridge DY9 7LA
Scheme Manager: 01384 393240
Mobile: 07799 070899

Nene Close
Union Street, Stourbridge DY8 1PJ
Scheme Manager: 01384 375815
Mobile: 07799 070908

Role of the scheme manager

Each sheltered housing scheme has a scheme manager who is available on site. They have a duty to keep in touch with each tenant by a visit where required, a call on the intercom system or by being seen out and about. They will deal with any problems or emergencies appropriately.

Staff in sheltered schemes are responsible for welcoming and introducing new tenants to the scheme including giving help and advice on how the scheme works, the communal facilities, local shops and services, the use of the alarm, pull cords and other day to day management issues.

However, the scheme manager is not responsible for:

Tackling criminal activity – the police should always be called
Providing nursing services or administering drugs
Answering the door or taking domestic messages
Providing any form of home help service
Routinely collecting pensions or shopping
Driving tenants to and from day centres or the doctors
Making payments on a tenants behalf

Other types of accommodation

Other accommodation may also be suitable for older people, accomodation which is not based on schemes but is situated together to create a mini community. These schemes include bungalows and low rise flats.

However, any tenant over the age of 60, wherever they live in Dudley, can request the support of a visiting member of staff. A support plan can be agreed with the tenant, which includes the frequency of visits, and may result in a community alarm being issued for extra piece of mind.

Home Call emergency alarm

The aim of Home Call is to support people in need of care. This scheme is specifically equipped to receive and deal with calls for help and assistance, staffed by a professional and experienced team. This facility enables people to be able to always speak to a member of staff 24 hours a day, and provides family and friends with the reassurance that help is always at hand.

This system works by having an alarm installed in your home which activates by pressing a button which is located on a convenient ring pull or can be worn on either a pendant or wristband. This alarm alerts a member of staff that you require assistance - this person will immediately contact you via the system to enquire whether you need help and ask what the problem is. If assistance is required they will take the appropriate action. We suggest to those who have the alarm they test it once a month by pressing the button and waiting for someone to answer. When they do, simply tell them you are making a test.

This service is free to council tenants via a simple assessment to determine need. If it is thought you will benefit from having an alarm installed then it will be fitted as soon as possible. This equipemnt must be left in the property if you move out, however.

If you own your own home, or rent privately, you are still able to subscribe to the service. A simple assessment is required, and if your circumstances are appropriate then an alarm will be supplied at reasonable cost.

Further information

If you would like to know more about sheltered housing or any of the services we offer, then why not give us a ring. We are available on 01384 812044 during office hours or 01384 812040 at any other time. You can also request to apply for sheltered housing by calling 01384 812345. Information is also available on our website by visiting www.dudley.gov/housing.

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