Lake Avenue
Housing for older people with some special design features and good facilities
Who is it for? | Couples or single people over the age of 60 wanting to rent. |
Property details | Lake Avenue has 24 self-contained flats on two floors in six blocks a three storey block with four two bed flats and two one bed and a two bed flat over the communal hall. All 26 one-bedroom flats are large enough for couples. There is satellite TV . Most of the properties have new kitchens, bathrooms, re-wires and heating installed over the last 2-3 years. Most of the properties have a water meter Flats are a reasonable size and each flat has a large cupboard for storage. Lake Avenue 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? | Lake Avenue is in the village of Hamworthy, which is approximately 3 miles from the town of Poole And walking distance from Hamworthy park and beach. The local shops are about 10 minutes walk away. There is one Doctors' surgery about half a mile away. The bus stop is about 300 yards from the scheme. Bus route into Poole town. |
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 ion site or nearby 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 Lake Avenue have a Secure Tenancy Agreement which is a legal contract setting out the conditions of a tenancy between themselves and the Borough of Poole. |
How to get it? | Anyone wishing to apply to rent a flat at Lake Avenue 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 a communal lounge in Lake Avenue that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, get-togethers or meetings. There is a loop system in the communal lounge, which is regularly used for social activities. Other communal facilities include: Buggy store with electricity, kitchen, ladies and gents toilets, PC in communal lounge with internet access, Loop system fitted fir those with hearing problems, car park, rotary dryers. Tunstall Telecom has installed new speech system in flats with new smoke and heat detectors. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. There is also a mobile library that visits the scheme every 4 weeks. |
Services | Lake Avenue has three main services. They are: 1. A housing support service provided by the sheltered 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 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 use the intercom to call residents or to visit on days that have been arranged with the tenant. 3. A management and repairs service. Sheltered staff inspect the grounds and scheme regularly and 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 Lake Avenue and people who live there have copies of the standards they can expect. (See sheltered housing service standards in the directory) PHP is always keen to make sure that work is done to good standards. |
Relationship with the local community | Lake Avenue is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. Social events are held regularly at Lake Avenue and the local people are invited to attend. |
Staffing and expertise | The SHO has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support that are available e.g. welfare benefits, tenancy support. The SHO has first aid training and performs regular health and safety checks in the scheme. |
Complaints and other matters | Anyone living at Lake Avenue can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Lake Avenue 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? | Please contact Lesley Wright (Sheltered Housing Officer at Lake Avenue & Derek Orchard House ) on 01202 672109 or 675969 or email lesley.wright@poole.gov.uk |