Housing for people 55+

Sheltered housing is a commonly used phrase to refer to accommodation for residents aged 55+ with a visiting Independent Living Housing Officer. We have a number of such schemes in towns and villages across our area.

We offer independent living in a smaller, easier-to-manage home – with the companionship of other older people living close by.

Many schemes have a communal lounge, laundry room, and guest room for your family or friends. You can socialise with other residents and get involved as much or as little as you like.

There’s also the peace of mind of knowing that an Independent Living Housing Officer is available if you need help or advice. We hold regular scheme meetings too – where residents get together and discuss any issues or concerns with their Housing Officer.

If you’re a Soha resident living in an Independent Living scheme and you want to report a repair, pay your rent, or need help or advice about your home or your tenancy, please go to the resident services section on this website, email ilt@soha.co.uk or speak to your visiting Independent Living Housing Officer.

We have a number of Independent Living schemes in and around South Oxfordshire, including:

Benson

Berinsfield

Chalgrove

Cholsey

Didcot

Goring

Great Milton

Henley

Kingston Bagpuize

Sonning Common

Thame

Warborough

Watlington

Wheatley

Woodcote

Does Soha provide sheltered housing?

Sheltered housing is a commonly used phrase referring to comfortable, convenient and secure accommodation which is visited weekly by an Independent Living Housing Officer. This type of housing means you can still be independent, but have the companionship of other people aged 55+ living nearby.

You’ll have your own front door, as well as access to gardens and parking. There’ll often be a communal entrance for added security.

An Independent Living Housing Officer is available for information and advice – or to help you organise paying your rent or reporting a repair. They will also help you access local health and community services such as ‘good neighbour schemes’ or other local voluntary agencies.

What’s the role of an Independent Living Housing Officer?

The Independent Living Housing Officer is there to help you view any of our properties for age 55+, settle in and give you information about how to pay your rent, report repairs and keep in touch.

They don’t provide care, but will help you get in touch with agencies, who can provide home care and other practical support. Independent Living Housing Officers will also check on the building, grounds maintenance and the cleaning of communal areas, as well as testing the fire alarms weekly.

We run regular scheme meetings for our residents – giving you the opportunity to meet Soha staff and listen to experts from other agencies such as the local police, AgeUK etc.

What is there to do?

There are plenty of things to do at our schemes. We work with our residents to help them arrange theatre trips, BBQs, coffee mornings etc and other events.

We work alongside many other community-based agencies such as AgeUK to help our residents get all the help and support they need to remain active. We can also put you in touch with volunteers to help you get online.

Who can apply?

If you’re over 55 you can apply to live in our Independent Living housing. If you have care needs currently, do consider our Extra Care or Retirement Living options.

How do I apply?

Talk to one of our team. You’ll need to fill out a form, which we can help you with, or you can apply online by bidding for a home via your local council.

Further information

To read our Guide to Independent and Retirement Living, please click here (link opens the guide in a new window).

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Housing for people 55+

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