Cinnamon Lane

Who is it for?

People over the age of 60 wanting to rent. 

Property details

Cinnamon Lane has 24 self-contained flats on two floors in three blocks. 23 of the flats are one bedroomed and there is 1 studio flat. All the one-bedroom flats are large enough for couples. Flats are never too far away from the stairs. There is cable and satellite TV. There is a door entry system to all the flats.

Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a large cupboard for storage. Most of the properties have new kitchens and bathrooms.

Cinnamon Lane 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?

It is in the Old Town area of Poole close to High Street, Poole Harbour and Poole Quay with its museums and activities. The comprehensive High Street shops are only a couple of minutes walk away. There are two GP surgeries and Poole General Hospital less than a mile away. The Leisure Centre, Arts Centre and swimming baths are another 15-minute walk away. Flats are not far main coach and train station and on the main bus routes. There are also 2 community centres, Age Concern pop-ins, churches and CAB within a reasonable walking distance.

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 on site or close by 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 Cinnamon Lane 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 wishing to apply to rent a flat at Cinnamon Lane sheltered scheme must be over 60 years and on the Borough of Poole Housing Register, even if they already live in Council accommodation. The Borough of Poole operates a Choice-based lettings Scheme called Homechoice. When a flat becomes vacant it is advertised 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

There is one lounge in the building that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. It is bright and sunny and overlooks the garden area. There is a computer with a broadband connection for resident's use. There is a loop system in the communal lounge, which is regularly used for meetings and bingo games. There is a patio area, outside storage for barbecue and a gardening shed.

Tunstall Telecom has installed new speech system in flats with new smoke and heat detectors.

Services

Cinnamon Lane 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. On site sheltered housing staff also use the intercom to call everyone each day to see how they are.

3. A management and repairs service. Sheltered housing staff will 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 Cinnamon Lane 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

Cinnamon Lane 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 by the local community although social events are regularly held at Cinnamon Lane and local people might be invited to attend.

Staffing and expertise

Sheltered Housing Officer is on duty normally between 8:30 – 16:30 but this may vary. The SHO has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support that are available. The SHO also has first aid training and performs regular health and safety checks in the scheme.

Complaints and other matters

Anyone living at Cinnamon Lane can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Cinnamon Lane 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 charges 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?

What it feels like from the user's perspective to live on the scheme

Please contact Marta Adamus (SHO) by tel: 01202 671586

'Recently, I had been looking for a flat for my son who has relocated back to Poole after a long time away. It is only then I realised how good we have it here with PHP. The rent is manageable, nowhere near the 'real' market price. The properties are in a good condition, unlike many on a rental market at the moment. The repairs are done promptly and if anything goes wrong there is always somebody we can go to and things get done. Scheme is looked after, and what is important for me, the residents are being consulted. We are being listened to and there are many ways to get involved with what is going on at Poole Housing Partnership and on our scheme. I think that PHP is a very good landlord.'