Aberdeenshire Council hoping to encourage greater take-up of sheltered housing scheme vacancies
Aberdeenshire Council is hoping to encourage a greater take-up of residential positions within some of its sheltered housing schemes.
Sheltered housing allows older people or those with particular needs to live independently, with the right support, in a comfortable and secure environment.
It also provides the opportunity for social contact and companionship, but equally respects an individual’s right to privacy.
But the authority is experiencing a number of vacancies within some its self-contained one-bedroom flats in the following communities:
- Ballater
- Cairnbulg
- Cruden Bay
- Cuminestown
- Fraserburgh
- Gardenstown
- Maud
- New Pitsligo
- Longside
- Rosehearty
- Rothienorman
- Sandhaven
- St Fergus
- Stuartfield
Many sheltered housing communities offer opportunities to engage with other tenants and participate in activities and informal social gatherings, whether that be an afternoon cup of tea or catch up, concerts or crafts, exercises or games.
Communal areas such as lounges and gardens provide space for tenants to relax in and socialize and tenants are also regularly consulted on future social activities and encouraged to contribute suggestions for type of activity they prefer.
Christine Robertson of the council’s Housing Service explains: “The tenants’ communal lounge is an excellent additional space within the scheme. It is for you, your families and friends and your invited guests to use. The communal lounge is also used for group activities like games, crafts, classes, coffee mornings, concerts and special or informal social events.
“We also provide guest accommodation at most of our schemes which enables relatives or friends to visit for a short time - there is a charge for use of the guest facility - and occasionally pets can be accommodated with prior approval being granted at the time of the booking.”
The weekly charges for sheltered housing in 2023/24 are:
- Rent - £72.25 (approx. dependent on property and location)
- Sheltered Housing upkeep of furniture/equipment - £7.37
- Sheltered Housing Heat and Light charge - £46.24
- Sheltered Housing Management Charge - £7.97
- Housing Support Charges – £20.87
Security and peace of mind are offered through an alarm system, with 24 hour response to emergency calls, in addition there is low level housing support provided by a dedicated team of mobile sheltered housing officers (Mon to Fri 8.45am-5pm and Sat and Sun 9am-1pm).
Christine says: “Our dedicated team of mobile sheltered housing officers support you to live as independently as possible and they will carry out visits or wellbeing calls as required.
“Our teams can provide general advice and help and help you manage any home security, maintenance and repairs issues. They will also assist tenants with any official correspondence or form-filling and are there to lend a hand if you require access to other services such as doctor, nurse, occupational therapists and planned care.
“Sheltered housing officers also help tenants develop a personal housing support plan which helps you maintain your health and wellbeing and which can be updated should there be changes in your individual needs or personal circumstances.”
For more information on our Sheltered Housing schemes please visit https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/housing/housing-options/renting/sheltered-housing/
If you would like to speak to someone about applying for Sheltered Housing accommodation, call and speak to an Assistant Sheltered Housing Coordinator on 01467 468154.