How to Apply
You can apply for independent living through Gravesham Borough Council by completing a housing application and providing details about your current circumstances, income, and housing needs. If you are eligible, the council will assess your application and may place you on the housing register or provide advice and support to help you find suitable accommodation.
What is independent living?
Independent Living housing allows you to live independently while providing reassurance that assistance or help is at hand if there is an emergency.
Support Available
Independent Living Housing is not residential care or a nursing home. You will have your own self-contained accommodation, maintain the same responsibilities and independence as you have always enjoyed, however in a quieter comfortable and enabling environment. In addition, our Independent Living Officer has a master key to gain access to the accommodation on the schemes if an emergency should arise.
The accommodation is designed to make life easier for residents. Some of our schemes have laundry rooms, TV rooms, guest rooms. Many have the benefit of door entry systems, fire doors, smoke detectors and fire alarms. All our Independent Living properties are fitted with pull cords so that help can be summoned in an emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Equal Opportunities
Gravesham is committed to providing housing services to the whole community and seeks to ensure that no-one applying for housing will be discriminated against based on their ethnic origin, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, or disability.
Who Can Apply
Any person over 55/60 whatever their circumstances can apply. You will need to complete a Common Housing Register Form.
All applicants will have a housing and support needs risk assessment completed with one of the Independent Living Officer. They will assess your support needs, give you information about our Independent Living Housing Service and advise you as to what may be available to you.
I’m a homeowner can I apply?
Yes, but we will ask you for evidence of the value of your property and details of your income and savings. We will carry out a financial assessment. We will also ask for details of your current circumstances and any health or disability problems.
Your application will be considered, and you will be advised as to whether you can be offered Independently Living Housing or whether you should seek privately rented or privately owned Independent Living.
Can I choose where I want to live and the type of property I live in?
Yes, by telling us on your application. We will discuss your chances of being re-housed at your preferred schemes. You can visit the schemes you are interested in so you check whether they meet your needs.
A guide to our Independent Living Housing schemes can be obtained from our allocations team who can be contacted by 01474 337000 or email allocation@gravesham.gov.uk. If you wish to visit a scheme you can do this by contacting the service on 01474 337000 or email independent.living@gravesham.gov.uk
Can I bring my pet with me?
This depends on what kind of pet you have, and which scheme you are moving to. Read the scheme information leaflet for details.
How do you let your homes?
When a property becomes available for letting it will be offered to the applicant with the highest housing needs score.
What size of property can I register for?
We automatically register singles/couples for one bedroom accommodation. We do have a small number of bedsitters at some schemes which we may offer to single applicants, if you have expressed an interest in this type of accommodation
What happens if I refuse an offer?
We will make you an offer of housing based on what you have asked for and assume that you have a real interest in moving to those areas.
If you refuse an offer, we will discuss this further with you. Where applicants unreasonably refuse offers of housing they will lose their position on the waiting list.
What happens if I accept an offer?
We expect you to be able to accept a tenancy at very short notice and to arrange to collect keys for the property and sign a tenancy agreement.
If you are an existing tenant and downsizing, we can assist you with your move if you are entitled to receive a ‘tenants holding hands payment’. For information about the ‘tenants holding hands payment ‘refer to the booklet. A copy can be obtained from the Neighbourhood team on 01474 337000.
How can I increase my chances of being re-housed?
You can increase your chances by selecting a few schemes you wished to be considered for. Some schemes are in high demand, but some schemes have only a limited number of applicants which will increase your chance of being re-housed and reduce the length of time you will have to wait.
Can you re-house me if I’m homeless?
If you are threatened with or are homeless you should contact our Housing Needs Team. They can be contacted on: 01474 33 7000. They will assess your application. If you are accepted, you will be given priority for re-housing.
Do you exclude or suspend applicants from your list?
Yes
- Persons subject to Immigration control.
- Applicants living abroad who have no date of return to this country will not be offered a tenancy but may register to establish a date priority for the future.
- Applicants who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour.
- Applicants who have poor rent payment history/current arrears.
- Transfer applicants who have damaged their existing property.
- Applicants who have the financial means to purchase an Independent Living dwelling.
- Applicants who have an Introductory Tenancy.
Can I check the information on my application?
The Housing Act 1996 and the Data Protection Act 1998, gives you the right to see the information relating to your application. You have the right to change anything that is wrong