Extra care housing schemes

Extra care housing schemes enable you to live in your own home within a communal building, whilst having access to care and other facilities.

Extra care housing – purpose built accommodation with extra support 

Extra care housing is designed to help you remain independent for as long possible. It is suitable for those whose health or disabilities mean that standard housing is no longer suitable for them.
 
You will live in your own self-contained home, and have access to a range of facilities on the premises as well as 24 hour care and support services. Different levels of support are available should your needs change, for example if you are recovering from an illness or a stay in hospital.

There are many schemes in North Yorkshire, usually run in partnership with housing associations.

This video explains more about extra care housing:
 

When to consider extra care housing 

You should consider this type of housing if:

  • you have health problems
  • you are struggling to look after your home or garden
  • you are considering residential care
  • you need regular support to enable you to live in your own home
  • you think you will need more support in the future

Benefits of living in extra care housing 

There are many benefits to living in extra care housing. Take a look at some of the common features of extra care housing:

Features of extra care housing

  • you have your own home, with your own front door so you control who comes in and when. Properties usually consist of a kitchen, bathroom, lounge, and one or two bedrooms
  • properties are usually available to:
    • rent - you will have a tenancy agreement
    • buy - you will have a lease
    • have shared ownership
  • you have access to care and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week on site, and with housing management staff available during office hours
  • properties have been designed to be easily accessible to help those with mobility problems or disabilities
  • couples and friends can stay together
  • a safe and secure living environment
  • you have control over your finances but there is support if you need help to manage them
  • if you buy your home you may have remaining inheritance to pass on to your family
  • communal facilities such as:
    • a lounge
    • a restaurant
    • a shop
    • a hair and beauty salon
    • library / space for other social activities
  • properties can be fitted with assistive technology to help keep you safe
  • you can take your pet with you in agreement with the housing scheme provider
  • you can have people to stay with you, either in your own home, or in the guest suite that schemes have
  • opportunity to remain part of the local community

Further information about extra care housing schemes

For further information about extra care housing schemes in North Yorkshire read our:

Those who can live in extra care housing

You can live in extra care housing if you:

  • are aged over 55 (or younger if you have a disability)
  • have a housing, care or support need (if you are a couple, one or both of you have been assessed with a need)
  • meet the following eligibility criteria in order of priority

Eligibility criteria for living in extra care housing – in order or priority 

  1. You live in the town or nearby village where the scheme is built.
  2. You live within the boundaries of the former district or borough council area prior to local government reorganisation in April 2023.
  3. You live in the North Yorkshire Council area.
  4. You live outside of the North Yorkshire Council area but have a local connection, such as moving to be nearer to family.
  5. You live outside of the North Yorkshire Council area but have no local connection.
Request help and support

To apply for extra care housing:

  • decide which extra care housing scheme you would like to live in. You may wish to arrange a viewing to look around the property
  • apply directly to the scheme manager at your preferred extra care scheme
  • arrange a social care assessment so that your care and support needs can be determined

We are experiencing high levels of demand, which means we may not be able to arrange an assessment as quickly as we would like. If you have contacted us and are waiting for a response, please be assured that we have received your information and will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

An allocations panel will then consider your application and confirm if they can offer you accommodation at their scheme.

The costs of extra care housing 

There are several costs associated with extra care housing:

  1. The cost of buying or renting your new home.
  2. A service charge for the upkeep of the communal building and grounds.
  3. Day-to-day living costs such as energy bills, council tax, telephone, and food.
  4. Care and support costs - you will need to have a financial assessment to find out how much you will need to contribute towards these costs.
  5. Most schemes charge for a background support service (Flexicare).

You should contact the relevant scheme for their current prices as costs vary from scheme to scheme. 

You may qualify for benefits to meet all or part of the costs for extra care housing. Rents and service charges in extra care housing can be covered by housing benefit, subject to an individual welfare benefits assessment.

Extra care schemes in North Yorkshire 

There are a number of extra care schemes in the region. Full details of each scheme including facilities and contact details can be found on our Extra care schemes in North Yorkshire page.

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