Sheltered housing

What is Sheltered Housing?

Sheltered Housing normally consists of small, easily managed (often one bedroom or bedsit) rented properties, provided by the Council or housing associations, grouped together in a scheme and with the services of an on-site or visiting warden. Some complexes have communal facilities, including a sitting room, where people can meet and socialise. Each property is connected to an alarm service (telecare) to call for help in case of emergencies.

Additional services such as home care, meals on wheels or day care can be provided by Social Work Services in the same way as for people living in all other types of accommodation.

Sheltered Housing Provision in the Highlands

The Highland Council manages 581 houses that have a warden and / or telecare (community alarm) service. These sheltered housing complexes are located throughout the Highlands. In addition there are a number of sheltered housing units run by housing associations. The ‘Guide to Housing in the Highlands’ manual gives more detailed information about the location of housing association sheltered housing. 

How do I apply for Sheltered Housing?

Contact your nearest Housing and Property Office or Service Point to obtain a normal housing application form. You can indicate under Section 7.3 your requirement for sheltered housing.

What does it cost?

You can get information on the sheltered housing charges page.

Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS)

The support that we give to sheltered housing tenants is registered with SCSWIS and is inspected by them frequently, to ensure that the help we offer is of the highest quality and meets our tenants’ needs.   You can access the latest inspection reports under External Links.

Sheltered Housing Tenant Handbook

This explains about the warden service and the support you will receive if you are a sheltered housing tenant.

You can view the Sheltered Housing Tenant Handbook under Current Documents.

The Future of Sheltered Housing

In 2004 the Council carried out a major review of sheltered housing in the Highlands. You can read the Review in the Current Documents section.