Extra care housing
Extra care housing gives you the security and privacy of a home of your own. It provides a range of facilities on the premises and access to 24-hour care and support services. With extra care, you stay in control of your own future, retaining dignity, security and choice. Find out how extra care can help you by visiting our what is extra care page.
North Yorkshire has many schemes, usually run in partnership with housing associations. They are all home to a mix of residents needing varying levels of support.
Extra care housing is different because:
- you are living "in your own home" and not in a care home
- private accommodation is available for rent, shared ownership or sale
- you have your own front door, so you control who comes in and when
- couples and friends can stay together
- there is a mix of able and less able people to reflect a true community
- 24-hour care and support services are available on site
- you get support to keep your independence
- you can join in social activities, or you can be private
- you have control over your finances and support if you need help to manage them
- you have security, as the aim is a home for life
Each extra care housing scheme will have a range of facilities on site. These could include:
- a shop
- a hair and beauty salon
- a café or restaurant
- a lounge
- a hobbies room
- a library
Extra care housing schemes also encourage local people to use the facilities. This helps the scheme become a part of the community and local life.
Design and good practice guide (pdf / 729 KB)
Design and ethos guide (pdf / 3 MB)
Care and support for independent living
On site support staff will get to know you and the other residents and be able to check your day-to-day wellbeing. The care can be flexible. If you are recovering from illness or a stay in hospital, support can increase or decrease as you recover.
Eligibility
To be able to live at a scheme, you will:
- usually be 55 or over (or younger with a disability)
- have a housing, care or support need
- meet the eligibility criteria in order of priority
Eligibility criteria (in order of priority)
- You live in the town or nearby village where the scheme is built.
- You live within the boundaries of the former district or borough council area prior to local government reorganisation in April 2023.
- You live in the North Yorkshire Council area.
- You live outside of the North Yorkshire Council area but with a local connection, such as a move to be nearer to family.
- You live outside of the North Yorkshire Council area but with no local connection.
You will need to apply to live in a scheme and be willing to have your care and support needs assessed. An allocations panel decides on applications and offers accommodation.
Costs of extra care housing
Some extra care schemes only offer homes to buy. Some offer only rented accommodation. Some offer mixed tenure, including rent, shared ownership and outright sales. Most schemes offer a choice of one or two-bedroom accommodation.
You would either have a tenancy agreement if you rent, or a lease if you buy your apartment. This gives you a strong element of control over your future. You would have the legal right to occupy as a tenant or owner.
There are several elements to the cost of extra care housing, such as:
- the cost of buying or renting your new home
- the service charge associated with your home
- the care and support costs (your contribution is determined by a separate financial assessment)
- day to day living costs like energy, council tax, telephone and groceries
Most schemes charge for a background support service. The amount you contribute to this is part of your financial assessment.
Costs vary from scheme to scheme. Contact the relevant scheme for current prices.
You may qualify for benefits to meet all or part of the costs of extra care housing.
Information for professionals
We work with several organisations and framework providers to build future schemes. This is part of our 'care and support where I live' strategy.
In 2015 we created a partnership framework of housing organisations. They help us plan and build new extra care housing schemes across the county.
We have a dedicated team working with our partners to ensure we build and run successful schemes.
The six organisations in the partnership framework are:
- Lovell Later Living
- Vistry
- Equans
- Housing 21
- Places for People
- Your Housing Group
Contact us for more information.