If you are Elderly or have a Disability

There are a number of options available if you are elderly or have a disability.

Staying put in your present home

If you would prefer to stay in your present home rather than move, you may be able to get help in order to make it easier for you to manage.

• The Home Improvement Agency deliver essential adaptations and repairs to vulnerable private tenants and homeowners and assistance to maximise your income. Call 020 7525 1873
• The Housing Adaptations team can deliver adaptations to your property if you are a disabled council tenant. Call free on 0845 600 1287
• Our Healthy Homes Handyperson team provide assistance with minor repairs to properties such as changing light bulbs, fitting shelves or small modifications required after hospital discharge. Call 020 7525 1863

How we help you will depend on the recommendation of one of our occupational therapists.

If you would like to move

If you are elderly or disabled and would like to move, there are a number of options available.

Older person's dwellings (OPD)

These are council flats and bungalows especially for people who are aged 55 and over. They are particularly suitable for older people as they are smaller and easier to heat and maintain. They are usually on the ground, first, or second floor and often in buildings with lifts.

Seaside and country homes scheme

The seaside and country homes scheme assists our council and housing association tenants aged 60 and over to move to homes outside London. The properties are in coastal and country areas from Cornwall in the south west to Norfolk on the east coast. There are also some properties in the Lincolnshire area

• There are flats and bungalows in the scheme. Flats have either one or two bedrooms and all bungalows have two bedrooms
• Norfolk and Suffolk areas have shorter waiting times than high demand areas such as Kent, Sussex, Essex or Dorset

You can view the guidance notes (pdf 821kb) here, but to apply you must be nominated by your landlord. To view this document you will need Adobe reader. 

Sheltered housing

Sheltered housing is purpose built or specially adapted housing designed for older people, which allows them to live independently as part of the community, but with the additional security of a sheltered housing manager available to call on in an emergency.

Residential homes and nursing homes

Residential care homes provide accommodation, meals and personal care for older people, people with disabilities or those unable to manage at home for whatever reason.

People with disabilities

If you have a disability and can no longer manage in your present home, you may want to apply to move to specially adapted housing run by us or a housing association.

Mobility standard homes

Mobility standard homes have wide doorways, with a bathroom, one or more bedrooms, a toilet and a kitchen all on one floor. They are for people who can walk but may need to use a wheelchair some of the time.

Wheelchair standard homes

These are suitable for people who use a wheelchair all of the time.

To apply for either mobility or wheelchair standard homes, you will need to fill in a housing application form (pdf 267kb).

Housing options services
Tel: 020 7525 5950
Fax: 020 7525 4088
housing.options@southwark.gov.uk
25 Bournemouth Road
London
SE15 4UJ
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (10am on Wednesdays)