Waterloo House
Housing for older people with some special design features and good facilities
Who is it for? | Couples or single people over the age of 60 wanting to rent. |
Property details | Waterloo House has 29 self-contained one-bedroom bungalows. There is cable and satellite TV. All the bungalows have rear level access for wheelchair users, with their own garden and washing line. There are two buggy stores with electric power for charging scooters. The front of Waterloo House has recently had a sturdy new fence and gates for added security. The majority of bungalows have level access shower rooms. Off road parking is available front and rear of the scheme. All bungalows have Co Detectors and have recently had a brand new intercom system which is now much quicker, which also gives them the opportunity of having the pendant on a wrist strap rather than round their neck which seems to be more favourable. There is a guest room available for residents, relatives and friends at a low cost per night. The bungalows are a reasonable size and cater for singles and couples. All residents are responsible for their day-to-day bills i.e. water, gas and electric. Waterloo House is owned by the Borough of Poole and managed by Poole Housing Partnership, (PHP) the Council's Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). PHP manages all the Council's homes and is based in Poole. |
Where is it? | It is on the Waterloo Estate, near to Derby's Corner. There is a General Store with a Post Office, hairdressers, Takeaway and Pet shop and community Centre opposite the scheme. There are two GPs close by and a swimming pool and police station within a 10 minute walk. The bus stop is directly outside Waterloo House. |
What is it for? | It aims to give people good housing and that little bit of support so they can carry on living independently. A member of staff, whose job title is Sheltered Housing Officer, is available during normal working hours Monday to Friday. A large part of the Sheltered Housing Officer's job is to support tenants. |
Right to occupy | People living in Waterloo House have a legal agreement to live there and details are set out in Secure Tenancy Agreements between them and PHP. |
How to get it? | Only people who need housing can apply. People thinking about moving will be asked why they need to move. They have to give their reasons on an application form. The Borough of Poole operates a Choice-based lettings Scheme called Home choice: when a flat becomes vacant it is advertised and applicants can 'bid' for it. They would usually go to the person or couple who need it most of those bidding. The most common reasons for needing to move are:
Anyone interested in wanting to move to Waterloo House will have to be on Poole Council Housing Register to be able to bid for a property. |
What is provided? Facilities | There is one lounge in the building that all tenants can use if they want to have more space for parties, social get-togethers or meetings. It is bright and sunny and overlooks the garden area. There is a disabled toilet situated in the foyer of the communal hall. There is a Loop system for those who have hearing problems. PHP have provided water butts and composters for the residents use. |
Services | Waterloo House has three main services. They are: 1. A support service provided by sheltered housing staff (the Sheltered Housing Officer) – this is to help people get information, give help with welfare benefits and point people in the right direction for other services. Sheltered housing staff do not provide personal care. 2. A community alarm service. When sheltered housing staff are not available residents are able to get help by using the community alarm service. Every bungalow has an intercom and pull cords and there are also pull cords around the building. If someone uses this equipment the staff at the community alarm service know help is needed and they will send it quickly. Sheltered housing staff also use the intercom to call residents or to visit on days that have been arranged with the tenant. 3. A management and repairs service. Sheltered housing staff will contact PHP if any repairs need to be done. PHP will arrange for contractors to come out to do the repairs. |
Standards | There are standards covering all of the services that are provided at Waterloo House and people who live there have copies of the standards they can expect. PHP is always keen to make sure that work is done to good standards. |
Relationship with the local community | Waterloo House is part of the local community and people living there take part in activities in the local area. The building is not open for regular use by the local community although social events are regularly held at Waterloo House and local people might be invited to attend. |
Staffing and expertise | The Sheltered Housing Officer has been trained to give advice on the kinds of help and support that are available. The SHO also has first aid training. |
Complaints and other matters | Anyone living at Waterloo House can expect to be treated with courtesy at all times. Everyone moving into Waterloo House is given a handbook that explains what they should do if they are not happy with a service. Complaints are taken seriously and staff aim to put matters right if possible. |
Costs to you | Many people who are on low incomes qualify for Housing Benefit to cover all or some of the rent. Some people also get almost all of their service and support costs met. Our staff can help work out what people would pay before they move. |
Value for money | Our charges compare well with rents and charges for similar housing for older people in Poole. |
Want to know more? | Please contact.Lynn Holloway, .Sheltered Housing Officer tel: 01202 - 693811 |
What it feels like to live at Waterloo House from a service user's view | I have lived at Waterloo House for several years and enjoy getting involved with social gatherings and the overall well being of the scheme. I was elected by the residents to become the Local Community Representative. As a representative I provide a link between the residents and Poole Housing Partnership. This enables the residents to take part in what is happening and influence decisions. I attend meetings and forums and pass information in both directions. PHP has spent a lot of money the last couple of years modernising the bungalows, improving access and security. I am very happy here. Doreen |