4. Special Needs Housing
Special needs housing is a general term covering housing built with particular tenant groups in mind. Usually it involves either specially built or adapted housing, for example housing for older or disabled people, or houses linked to some support facility for adults with learning difficulties. It can also refer to houses allocated to particular groups, for example older people. Terms used to describe particular types of housing include:
• Amenity Housing: flats or houses with special modifications for people with particular needs, but not supported by a warden. For example, amenity housing for older people could include bathroom handrails, non-slip flooring and repositioned electrical sockets
• Sheltered Housing: groups of self contained homes linked to a warden who provides specialist support to all of the tenants
• Very Sheltered Housing: Very Sheltered Housing is accommodation for frail older people designed to barrier-free standards and offers enhanced housing management support and meals provision. Additional facilities, to allow for the provision of assisted bathing, dining and other communal activities, are incorporated with an option for individual care packages to be provided by Social Work. The whole environment enables the partnership of Housing, Social Work and Health to provide a continuum of care in a planned and coordinated way
Joint definition published by Hanover, Bield, Bield and Kirk Care Housing Associations, July 1996
• Care Housing: Care Housing meets the care need of frail older people within a housing setting. The Association recruits and employs care staff who will provide care directly to older people. The Association will seek to register the care housing under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, as amended by the Registered Establishments (Scotland) Act 1987, and the National Health service and Community Care Act 1990
Working definition agreed between Hanover, Bield and Kirk Care Housing Associations
• Cluster Flat: a flat where a number of separate individuals hold an individual tenancy, primarily in respect of their respective bedrooms, but share the use of common spaces. This management arrangement is often used for special needs purposes, for example for people with learning difficulties, with care and support being provided by a specialist agency.
Special needs housing is most often provided by registered social landlords but some provision is also made by Councils. A list of housing associations in Scotland and the client groups they cater for is available on request from Communities Scotland on 0131 313 0044 or from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations at www.sfha.co.uk.
Information about housing options for disabled people is available from the national network of Disabled Persons Housing Services and from Ownership Options on 0131 661 3400 or visit their website at www.oois.org.uk
UPDATE is Scotland's national disability information service. They provide a range of services to information providers throughout Scotland. You can access their website at www.update.org.uk.
A comprehensive database of housing for older people can be accessed on www.housingcare.org.
Sheltered Retired Home Owners Confederation (SRHOC)
Since its inauguration in 1991, SRHOC has taken a particular interest in the Resident's statutory rights and the obligations of Management Companies in this type of development. We have been represented on the Scottish Office Working Group, 'The Management of Owner/Occupied Sheltered Housing' (1996) and are involved in The Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament. You can access their website at www.srhoc.org.uk.
