Davis Court

Who is it for?

People over the age of 60 wanting to rent.

Property details

Davis Court is situated just off the main Ashley Road in Parkstone. It consists of 19 Flats, 11 of which are studio, 6 are one-bedroom and 2 are two-bedroom spread over a three storey property, a small courtyard and two completely separate flats in Shillito Road. Of the studio flats, one has a wet room and two have over bath showers. All flats have grab rails for aid in bathrooms. The majority of flats have recently had their kitchens refurbished to a very high standard and on the next programme for the bathrooms to be up-graded in the same way.

Davis Court is owned by the Borough of Poole and managed by Poole Housing Partnership, (PHP) the Council's Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). PHP manages all the Council's homes and is based in Poole.

Where is it?

Davis Court is located in upper Parkstone very near to all the main Bus routes to and from Bournemouth and Poole. The numbers for these are M1,M2,M3,M4 and several other local routes in the area. Also all other major long distant routes and excursion coaches Pick-up points. The whole area is fairly flat for very easy walking assess to all the main shopping facilities and other amenities. These include Branksome library, Salvation Army hall, Labour and Conservative Social clubs, and local community centre. There is also a local Post Office, several Doctors surgeries, Dentists and local churches.

What is it for?

It aims to give people good housing and that little bit of support so they can carry on living independently. A member of staff, whose job title is Sheltered Housing Officer, is available in the building during normal working hours Monday to Friday. A large part of the Sheltered Housing Officer's job is to support tenants.

Right to occupy

People living in Davis Court have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy

Agreements between them and PHP.

How to get it?

Anyone washing to apply to rent a flat at Davis Court sheltered scheme must be over 60 and the Borough of Poole Housing Register, even if they already live in Council accommodation. The Borough of Poole operates a choice based letting scheme called Homechoice. When a flat becomes vacant it is advertise and applicants can "bid" for the property. For more information on how to apply or what properties are on offer on Homechoice log onto www.boroughofpoole.com or telephone 01202 633805 or call into the Civic Centre in Poole.

What is provided?

Facilities

Unfortunately Davis Court no longer has a common room, but residents still have regular monthly coffee mornings and also afternoon teas in summer outside in the small courtyard area. There is a Guest bedroom for family and friends to use. Also a laundry room, the sheltered Housing office is on site, this office is used to cover Bob Hann as well. There is a Door entry system in operation and the main panel is situated just by the front doors. PHP have recently upgraded the internal lift to a high standard. All the external doors in the courtyard have recently been replaced with new ones. There is small car park to the side of the main building for residents and visitors use. In the small courtyard residents have planted flowers and shrubs. There is also a small sitting area there. PHP have provided a water butt for these residents.

Services

Davis Court has three main services. They are:

1. A support service provided by sheltered housing staff (the Sheltered Housing Officer) – this is to help people get information, give help with welfare benefits and point people in the right direction for other services. Sheltered housing staff do not provide personal care .

2. A community alarm service. When sheltered housing staff are not available residents are able to get help by using the community alarm service. Every flat has an intercom and pull cords and there are also pull cords around the building. If someone uses this equipment the staff at the community alarm service know help is needed and they will send it quickly. Sheltered housing staff also visits or use the intercom to call everyone each day to see how they are.

3. A management and repairs service. Sheltered staff inspects the grounds and contact PHP if any repairs need to be done. PHP will arrange for contractors to come out to do the repairs.

Standards

There are standards covering all of the services that are provided at Davis Court and people who live there have copies of the standards they can expect.

PHP is always keen to make sure that work is done to good standards.

Relationship with the local community

Davis Court is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. The building is not open for regular use but friends and families are invited to all coffee mornings.

Staffing and expertise

The Sheltered Housing Officer has been trained to give advice on housing related support and to signpost tenants to other agencies for support that PHP cannot provide.

Complaints and other matters

Anyone living at Davis Court can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Davis Court is given a handbook that explains what they should do if they are not happy with a service. Complaints are taken seriously and staff aim to put matters right if possible.

Costs to you

Many people who are on low incomes qualify for Housing Benefit to cover all or some of the rent. Some people also get almost all of their service and support costs met. Our staff can help work out what people would pay before they move.

Communal heating charge will vary from scheme to scheme. 

Value for money

Our charges compare well with rents and charges for similar housing for older people in Poole.

Want to know more?

Please contact  the Sheltered Officer on 01202 715806 or 730313 for more information