Sheltered Housing- How To Apply

Who can apply for Poole Housing Partnership's Sheltered Housing?

Any person over 60 years of age and who has been accepted onto Poole Council's Housing Register.

How do I apply?

This can be done in person (or someone else can do it for you, like a friend or social worker) by writing to :

Housing and Community Services
Civic Centre
Poole
BH15 2RU

Alternatively, you may prefer to telephone direct, see the contact details to the right of this page.

What will happen when I apply?

Once your application has been accepted onto Poole Council's housing register, you may bid for a property through Home Choice. All available properties are advertised through the Borough of Poole's Home Choice. Information about properties available are updated weekly every Tuesday by 12 noon. There are several ways in which you can access this information:

• Log onto www.boroughofpoole.com and go to Housing Home Choice page, see the link to the right of this page. You will find a list of available properties and instructions telling you how to bid, which will be by direct email link

• Call the Home Choice Line to hear information about the properties available that week, see the contact details to the right of this page

• Visit Housing Reception at the Civic Centre and check the Home Choice notice boards for lists for properties, this information will also be displayed on notice boards in Borough of Poole Libraries.

If my bid is successful for Sheltered Accommodation, what then?

Any offer of accommodation will be confirmed in writing. Should you wish to view the scheme and meet the Sheltered Housing Officer this can be easily arranged.

Once you have signed the tenancy acceptance form you will enjoy all the rights and privileges of a secure tenant.

You will also have a secure tenant's responsibilities, paying your own rent, running your home and providing your own meals. You may be eligible for Housing Benefit to help towards your rent. Please contact the Housing Benefit Section for more details, see their contact details to the right of this page.

You are expected, with the help of your friends and relatives, to make your own arrangements for moving in, and to meet the cost of doing so just like any other house move. You must also arrange for an electricity supply by applying in the normal way. You may be asked to move in at short notice, possibly two weeks, although we do try to give as much advance notice as possible.

What this means is that you will keep, and for as long as possible be encouraged to maintain your own independence. In sheltered housing you will not be a resident in an old people's home and you will be free at all times to come and go as you please. You are simply asked to let the Sheltered Housing Officer know if you intend to be away overnight or if you will not be there at the time when the Sheltered Housing Officer normally visits or calls you.