Housing and living independently
Types of housing and accommodation
It is important to make sure the housing you are thinking about will meet your needs and wishes.
You may need a care assessment to make sure that the housing you are thinking about is suitable.
There are different options to choose from:
Renting a property from a landlord
You can rent a property from a landlord.
A landlord could be:
- a company that owns a lot of properties
- a person or family who owns one or more properties
- a charity or group that rents properties to specific groups of people, such as parents, refugees or disabled people.
Rent
It is important that you choose a property you can afford.
Sometimes the cost of rent at these properties is more than you may get through Housing Benefit.
Depending on the type of tenancy you have, landlords can increase the rent. It is important that you read the tenancy agreement carefully.
Deposits
You may be asked to provide a deposit. This is usually equal to 1 months' rent.
It is important to look after the property so you can get your deposit back when you leave.
Finding properties
You can find privately rented properties through:
- a letting agency or estate agent
- adverts online or in the newspaper
- signs outside of the property
Social housing
Social housing is housing that is owned by either:
- the Council
- a housing association, which provides affordable housing to rent, and may offer financial support to buy your own property
With social housing, you usually get a more secure, long-term tenancy than renting from a landlord.
The rent is usually set at a similar level that you may get through Housing Benefit.
In South Tyneside, properties owned by the Council are managed by South Tyneside Homes. See South Tyneside Homes: Search and bid on homes.
You can find a list of housing associations on the Council's website: See South Tyneside Council: Housing associations.
Supported Housing / Independent Supported Living
If you need extra support on a daily basis, you may be eligible for supported housing.
This is usually a shared property, or individual flats, that have care staff on site to support you some or all of the time.
The properties are linked together through a shared space or a key worker.
Staff might support you by going to the shops with you, or helping you to prepare food.
The support that you are offered will depend on your needs.
You may have to pay towards the cost of your care.
You will have own tenancy agreement and pay rent. This is usually within what you may get through Housing Benefit.
Shared Lives Scheme
The Shared Lives Scheme gives you support whilst you remain part of a family home.
You live with a Shared Lives carer who provides some, or all of the support you need to stay independent.
You may live with them:
- on a long-term basis, or
- stay with them for a shorter period, so those who care for you full-time can have a short break.
You will need to be assessed as having a learning disability, and meet the Fair Access to Care Services criteria (FACS).
See South Tyneside Council: Shared Lives Scheme.
Specialist residential care homes
Specialist residential homes provide 24-hour care, 7 days a week, on site.
They provide all of your meals.
If you can't be supported in your home, or within supported housing, your social worker may ask that you are assessed for a specialist residential care home.
You will pay most of your benefits towards the cost of this care.
Specialist residential care homes are managed by public sector, private sector or charitable organisations.
Some homes specialise in particular areas of need, for example, people with a sensory impairment or a learning disability.
Owning a property
You may be able to buy a property, or you may have one given to you by a family member.
See the Own Your Home website.
For help contact the South Tyneside Homes: Housing Solutions Service.