Bob Hann Close

Who is it for?

People over the age of 60 wanting to rent.

Property details

Bob Hann Close consists of 30 one-bedroom flats in 4 terraced blocks of two storeys. All the flats have their own private front door and all first floor properties have external door entry systems. All 30 flats are large enough for couples. Many have recently had their kitchens and bathrooms refurbished to a very high standard which has increased storage in each property. New double glazed windows have also been installed recently.  There is cable and satellite TV .

Bob Hann Close 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?

Bob Hann is located in upper Parkstone very near to all the main Bus routes to and from Bournemouth and Poole. The numbers of these are M1,M2,M3,M4, and several other local routes around 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 Bob Hann Close have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy

Agreements between them and the Borough of Poole.

How to get it?

Anyone wishing to apply to rent a flat at Bob Hann sheltered scheme must be over 60 and on 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 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 common room at the entrance to the scheme, which all residents can use. This consists of a large lounge area, communal kitchen and toilets and communal washing facilities for residents who do not have their own. These are used on a rota system to enable all residents' regular times. The residents have a computer with internet access for general use and a loop system has been installed to help those slightly hard of hearing. The common room is used by Age Concern every Thursday for Pop-in. The residents also hold regular activities there such as coffee mornings, afternoon teas, fish and chip lunches and parties. Tunstall Telecom has recently upgraded the speech system with new smoke and heat detectors in all flats. There is a patio area between two of the blocks of flats and another seating area with benches. All the small front gardens are very well maintained. PHP have recently re-surfaced all the washing areas to a very high standard. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use.

Services

B ob Hann Close 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 use the intercom to call residents 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 Bob Hann Close 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

Bob Hann Close 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 Bob Hann Close and local people area always invited to attend these activities

Staffing and expertise

The Sheltered Housing Officer has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support that are available. The SHO also has first aid training.

Complaints and other matters

Anyone living at Bob Hann Close can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Bob Hann Close 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 Carla Bailey (Sheltered Housing Officer for Bob Hann and Davis Court) on 01202 715086