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Southwark Carers

Cambridge House

131 Camberwell Rd

London

SE5 0HF

T: 020 7708 4497

Housing

Feeling safe, comfortable and secure in your home is essential to the quality of life of you and the person you care for. This information section covers the following housing-related areas affecting carers: council housing, special needs accommodation, help with housing costs, and other housing issues

Council Housing

To apply for council housing, or if you are already a council tenant but want to transfer to more suitable accommodation, contact your local Neighbourhood Housing Office (NHO). Applications are assessed using a points system to establish need.

Abbeyfield NHO. Tel: 020 7525 1700
Acorn NHO. Tel: 020 7525 4750
Alfred Salter NHO. Tel: 020 7525 1650
Browning EMB. Tel: 020 7708 0708
Cherry Gardens NHO. Tel: 020 7525 1800
Crown House NHO. Tel: 020 7525 4700
Denmark Hill NHO. Tel: 020 7525 4850
Kingswood NHO. Tel: 020 8670 5157
Leathermarket Gardens JMB. Tel: 020 7525 1600
Library Street NHO. Tel: 020 7525 1750
Lynton Road NHO. Tel: 020 7525 1750
Parkside NHO. Tel: 020 7525 4050
Pelican NHO. Tel: 020 7525 4800
Rodney Road NHO. Tel: 020 7525 2600
Rosemary Gardens NHO. Tel: 020 7525 1450
Tabard Gardens NHO. Tel: 020 7357 9977
Taplow NHO. Tel: 020 7525 5826
West Camberwell NHO. Tel: 020 7525 5911
West Walworth NHO. Tel: 020 7525 2550

If you are homeless, or think you may soon become homeless, contact Southwark Council's Housing Access Unit. Tel: 020 7525 4208.

To help with your caring role you may want to think about one of the following options:

• moving closer to the cared-for person
• the cared-for person moving closer to you
• moving in with the cared-for person
• the cared-for person moving in with you

Further advice is available from the Southwark Council website.

If you are considering giving up your home and moving in with the person you care for, seek independent advice from a solicitor or Citizens Advice Bureau, as you may not be able to stay on after your caring responsibilities end.

The Housing Matters leaflet from Help the Aged looks at the different housing options for elderly people. Their leaflet Living Alone Safely provides some useful advice for older people who choose to stay in their own home alone on topics such as safety, emergencies and getting help.

Sheltered accommodation

This is suitable for people who can look after themselves with some assistance. Sheltered schemes usually have an alarm system, a warden and communal facilities. Further advice is available from the Southwark Council website.

The Relatives and Residents Association provide advice on sheltered and residential accommodation.

Residential and nursing care homes

If the needs of the person you care for increase they may be best met in a residential setting. The council will meet all, some or none of the costs of residential care, depending on the person’s financial circumstances.

Counsel and Care provide information and advice on care homes and related issues.

Housing Care provide information and advice on all forms of accommodation for older people.

Housing for disabled people

People with a physical disability affecting mobility may be eligible for council accommodation in either mobility standard homes, which have amenities all on one floor, or wheelchair standard homes, designed for permanent wheelchair users.

Hospice care

Hospices care for people who are facing the end of life and aim to meet all needs - physical, emotional, social and spiritual. At home, in day care and in the hospice, they help patients and those who love them. Most hospices are independent charities but the NHS and large charities such as Marie Curie Cancer Care also provide hospice care.

For further information on hospice care, contact Hospice Information.

Housing benefit

Housing benefit is paid by local authorities to people on low income to help with the cost of rented accommodation. If you pay a mortgage you cannot get housing benefit, but you might qualify for help with interest payments through Income support. Information and claim forms are available from your local One Stop Shop or Neighbourhood Housing Office (see above).

ONE STOP SHOPS:

Bermondsey. Tel: 020 7525 3592
Peckham. Tel: 020 7525 0230
Walworth. Tel: 020 7525 2008

Council tax benefit

If you are on a low income, employed or unemployed you may be eligible for a payment of up to 100% of your council tax bill. If you live with the person you care for you might be able to get a discount on your council tax.

You can find more information on the Southwark Council website. Or contact your NHO or One Stop Shop for details.

Staying warm

People aged 60 or over qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. This annual payment is made automatically if you receive a state retirement pension or received the payment last year.

The Cold Weather Payment is a smaller sum which is automatically paid to certain people in receipt of benefits during periods of very cold weather.

If you are in receipt of benefits you may be entitled to a grant from the Warm Front team to improve the energy efficiency of your property (e.g. new heaters or insulation).

The Winter Warmth Line (Tel: 0800 085 7000) provides advice on keeping warm during the winter. Another source of advice is the Keep Out the Cold (PDF) leaflet from Help the Aged.

Gas and Electricity supply

If you are a pensioner, disabled, have long term ill health or are visually impaired there are a range of free services that may be available toyou.

These may include: password protection scheme to prevent bogus callers, meter reading, meter moving, free gas safety check, advance notice of supply interruptions, special help if your supply is disrupted, controls and adapters to make appliances and meters easier to use, bills in accessible formats or sent to a nominee.

Contact Energywatch for more information and to register.

Disputes and threats

If you are a council tenant involved in a serious dispute with a neighbour, contact your NHO. Private tenants can obtain advice on a range of tenancy matters from the Southwark Council Residential Group.

The Southwark Mediation Centre can help to resolve disputes with neighbours and landlords. Tel: 020 7708 4959.

If you are experiencing racial harassment contact the Victim Support Unit on 020 7525 4001. If you concerned about domestic violence, racist or homophobic crime contact the Community Safety Unit at Walworth Police Station on 020 7378 1212.

Repairs and Adaptations

If you are a Council or Housing Association tenant and your home needs repairs, these should be organised through the relevant NHO or Housing Association.

If you are a home owner or private tenant you may be eligible for a renovation grant (for major repairs) or a home repair assistance grant (for smaller repairs or improvements).

If someone in your home is disabled you can apply for help through the Occupational Therapy team at Southwark Council.

A disabled facilities grant can help with a variety of work such as improving access, adapting controls or installing bathroom facilities.

If you are aged over 60, or have a disability, the Home Improvement Agency may be able to assist with professional assistance for repairs and adaptations.

The Disabled Living Foundation is a useful source of information on equipment and adaptations which can help people manage in their own homes. You can use their website to find personalised information on equipment that might help you by clicking here.

Noise

If you suffer from noise problems where you live, contact the council’s 24-hour Noise Team.

Home security

Many people on low income can get locks and bolts fitted to their doors or windows through the free Lockfitting Scheme, run by Victim Support Southwark.

For general advice on making your house more secure, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at your nearest police station.

The Southwark branch of the London Trading Standards Authority have a list of builders, plumbers, electricians and other trades-people who have been vetted by Southwark Council.

For information about dealing with bogus callers can be found on the Suzy Lamplugh Trust website.

The Elder Care Project at Camberwell Police Station provide a free personal safety alarm, a free 'Bottle in the fridge' and details of a 24 hour Senior Link 'bogus caller' Response Service to anybody over 60 living in Southwark. Tel: 020 7232 6327.

Further information is available from the Help the Aged leaflet Security in Your Home (PDF).

POLICE STATIONS

Walworth Police Station. Tel: 020 7378 1212
Peckham Police Station. Tel: 020 7732 1212
East Dulwich Police Station. Tel: 020 8299 3911
Rotherhithe Police Station. Tel: 020 7231 1212

Home safety

There are many small changes you can make in your home to prevent slips and falls. For example, make sure that you have good lighting especially on staircases. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website has a range of advice tips on safety in the home.

Southwark Council run a 24-hour alarm scheme for disabled, elderly or vulnerable people who may need to call for help when they are alone at home. You can get an application form and furter details from your local Social Services office or by telephoning 020 7525 2999.

Southwark Trading Standards carry out free safety checks on electric blankets nd microwave ovens for all residents. Tel: 020 7525 5734 for more information.

Further information for older people living alone is available from the Help the Aged leaflet Safety in Your Home (PDF). Advice on fire prevention can be found in their leaflet Fire (PDF).

Blackfriars Settlement run a Home Safety Project for older people, where a volunteer carries out a risk assessment of your home and provides advice, referrals and materials such as smoke alarms. Tel: 020 7928 9521 for more information.

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The advice sections are currently under development and being added to regularly.

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