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Sheltered housing

Sheltered housing is accommodation specifically designed for elderly, disabled or vulnerable people. It allows them to live independently. It usually consists of self-contained flats with communal facilities.

In most cases, it is available to people aged over 60. Sometimes, schemes may be open to those over 55 years old.

In Babergh and Mid Suffolk we have 21 sheltered schemes. These consist of bungalows, flats and bedsits. All schemes offer residents a safe, secure and comfortable environment, whilst retaining their own identity.

Each scheme has a Sheltered Housing Officer (SHO) who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the scheme. Their work includes:

maintaining the buildings
providing advice and support to tenants on available services - both from the Council and our partners
responding to emergencies
making daily contact with residents (this is optional for the residents)

Sheltered Housing Officer calls are offered daily, to check on welfare, excluding week ends and Bank Holidays. Subject to GDPR, SHO also liaise with outside organisations and family to promote independent living. 

SHOs are NOT permitted to:

provide nursing or day-to-day personal care
give drugs or medicines
collect shopping, pensions, prescriptions or pay rent
be responsible for tenants' valuables

Cleaning and caretaking services

Each scheme has an appointed cleaner or cleaning contractor who maintains the communal areas. The housing repairs team carry out maintenance, decorating and specialised cleaning of the communal areas.

Emergency support

Help is available for residents 24 hours a day in emergency situations. The scheme manager can be contacted during the day. An emergency alarm service, linked to Stafford and Rural Housing (SARH) is available out of hours.

Applying for sheltered housing

Application for sheltered properties is via Gateway to Homechoice

For more information about the application process, please visit our Gateway to Homechoice - how it works webpage

If internet access is not available, please call us on 0300 1234000 (options 3 or 7). We can provide assistance with completing an application form or the bidding process.

Details of sheltered schemes

Bramford

Cherryfields

Botesdale

Farnish House

Claydon

St Peters Court

Eye

Elizabeth Court

Elmswell

Manns Court

Great Cornard

Clover Court

Hadleigh

Gayford Court

Newell Court

Holbrook

Samford Close

Hoxne

St Edmunds House

Lavenham

Tenterpiece

Laxfield

Hartismere House

Long Meadow

Steeds Meadow

Mendlesham

Mason Court

Nayland

Parkers Way

Needham Market

Hurstlea Court

Stowmarket

Partridge Court

Weston Court

Stowupland

Jubilee Court

Sudbury