Opening a door to independence for the elderly

OLDER Oldhamers keen to maintain their independence may be able to apply for sheltered housing through the council.

Oldham Council has been busy replacing and refurbishing a number of assisted housing schemes in recent years as part of major Private Finance Initiative (PFI) with leading older people’s housing provider, Housing 21.

The PFI scheme is on track to replace and refurbish around 1,500 homes, including 850 bungalows and flats in 19 sheltered housing complexes across the borough.

And now the council is keen to make older people aware of all the housing opportunities available to them through the scheme.

Cabinet member for community services and housing, Councillor John McCann, said: “A number of schemes have been developed for those with extra care needs.

“We have a range of homes to suit people of different ages and physical needs.

“To apply for homes, people need to be registered with First Choice Homes Oldham through the Choice Based Lettings scheme.

“We are extremely keen to make all our residents aware of the opportunities that sheltered housing can provide to support independence.”

Kath Miller, operations manager for Housing 21, added: “We recognise that many older people and their families aren’t aware of the benefits sheltered housing provides.

“At a recent open event in April, more than 50 people saw first-hand the newly improved bungalows at Coppice and received advice on how to apply for similar properties.

“It was clear that many of our residents didn’t realise that sheltered housing is something which is available to all older people, regardless of background, ethnicity or disability.”

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about sheltered housing and possibly applying to be part of the scheme can contact First Choice Homes Oldham on freephone 0800 328 7788 to register.