Homes for the Elderly

*PLEASE NOTE* Our waiting list is currently closed although we do still have an open waiting list for sheltered accommodation.

Midsummer does have a waiting list for its elderly persons housing, which consists of one and two bedroom bungalows and a sheltered housing scheme in Milton Keynes. The number of homes available to let each year is small. In 2006/07 five sheltered flats were available to let and 12 bungalows.

To join the elderly persons waiting list you must be able to demonstrate that your current circumstances meet one or more of the following criteria:

• You or any partner are over the age of 55 if you require non-sheltered housing
• You or you partner are over the age of 60 if you require sheltered housing
• People occupying unsanitary or overcrowded housing or otherwise living in unsatisfactory housing conditions.
• People occupying housing accommodation that is temporary or occupied on insecure terms.
• Families with dependent children.
• Households consisting of or including someone with a particular need for settled accommodation on medical or welfare grounds.
• Households whose social or economic circumstances are such that they have difficulty in securing settled accommodation.

Applicants who can demonstrate a housing need will be added to the list and prioritised in date order. The appropriate date being the date their application is formally approved.

To apply for the elderly persons list please ask for an application form from the Housing Advice Team. If you need any help to complete the form please ask.

When we receive your application form we may ask you for more information to support your application. We aim to tell you within 7 days of receipt of all information whether you have been accepted onto the list.

Bungalows designated for the elderly

Some of Midsummer's bungalows are specifically designated for the elderly (subject to there being sufficient demand)

What is Sheltered housing?

Midsummer has one sheltered housing scheme at Cavendish House, Loughton.
The scheme has 34 one and 5 two bedroom flats, two of which are adapted for disabled occupants. There is a Scheme Manager and Scheme Assistant who provide support to ensure a safe and secure environment and to enable residents to live as actively and independently as possible.

The Scheme Manager's role involves the following:

• The day to day running of the scheme
• Being aware of the changing needs of residents
• Liaising with appropriate support agencies
• Being aware of deteriorating health or difficulties
• Giving first aid in an emergency

The Scheme Manager and staff also help to organise, and encourages residents to be involved in, social activities. The Scheme Manager is not able to provide nursing or household support to residents.

Occupancy Levels

Whether you apply for our elderly persons housing or are nominated to us by a local authority we will seek to match household size with property types in the following ways:

Refusals

To promote an element of choice applicants will be allowed to refuse up to two offers after which they will remain on the list but their date of approval on to the list will be changed to the date of the last refused offer.

Exclusions

Whether you are applying for elderly persons housing or being nominated by a local authority there are circumstances where applicants will be excluded from applying for a home with Midsummer.

Each application for housing will be judged on its own individual merits but the Association reserves the right not to accept an application, to reject a nomination or remove an applicant from a housing list in the following circumstances.

Where any party to the application:

• is shown to be making a false or fraudulent application or deliberately created their position of housing need.
• has seriously breached the terms of a current or previous tenancy or the terms of a mortgage
• has a history of non-payment of rent or other housing related charges (except where arrears are demonstrably beyond the responsibility of the tenant i.e. delays in Housing Benefit)
• has been associated with any anti-social behaviour, harassment, serious neighbour nuisance or actual/threatening behaviour towards staff or other residents within the last five years
• has committed an offence that has a specific relevance to Midsummer's housing stock or to the local community within the last five years
• the applicant is unsuitable for the vacant property for other reasons e.g. applicant in need of support that is not available or the required level of support would undermine the quality of service offered to others
• Where, in the case of those applying for elderly persons accommodation, the applicant is under the age of 55 years or in the case of a couple, both applicants are under the age of 55 (consideration will though be given to the housing needs of carers).
• Where, in the case of those applying for sheltered housing, either applicant is under the age of 60 (consideration will though be given to the housing needs of carers).

Allocations Policy

If you would like to see a full copy of our Allocations Policy please ask a member of the Housing Advice Team.

Any information provided as part of the application or lettings process will be treated in the strictest confidence and in accordance with current data protection legislation.

Equal Opportunities

The Association is mindful of its legal obligations in relation to equal opportunities and will seek to ensure equality to all applicants regardless of sex, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religious belief, sexuality, marital status or disability.

Applicants charter

The Housing Corporation have written a Charter for housing association applicants and residents explaining the level of service you should expect from us. Midsummer fully supports the Charter and is happy to meets its terms and conditions. If you would like a copy of Charter please contact the Housing Advice Team who will be happy to send one to you.

Appeals and Complaints

Applicants may appeal against a decision made as a result of this policy by following the complaints procedure contained in the Customer Service Charter. Please ask a member of our Housing Advice Team for a copy of the Charter.

Schedule 1 - Housing Act 1996

Applicants for housing will be asked to declare if they have an interest that conflicts with the terms of Schedule 1 of the Housing Act 1996 and where necessary the approval of the Housing Corporation and the Association's Board of Management will be sought prior to the acceptance of an application.

Confidentiality

Any information provided as part of the application or lettings process will be treated in the strictest confidence and in accordance with current data protection legislation.

Bungalows designated for the elderly

Some of Midsummer's bungalows are specifically designated for the elderly (subject to there being sufficient demand)

What is Sheltered housing?

Midsummer has one sheltered housing scheme at Cavendish House, Loughton.
The scheme has 34 one and 5 two bedroom flats, two of which are adapted for disabled occupants. There is a Scheme Manager and Scheme Assistant who provide support to ensure a safe and secure environment and to enable residents to live as actively and independently as possible.

The Scheme Manager's role involves the following:

The day to day running of the scheme

The Scheme Manager and staff also help to organise, and encourages residents to be involved in, social activities. The Scheme Manager is not able to provide nursing or household support to residents.