Our Services

As a community based housing association, Colne is flexible and responsive to local needs. We are proud of our track record in creating communities by providing affordable housing in different locations and in a variety of ways.

Our tailored services range from working with small local and large national developers through to innovative solutions for specific housing needs such as purpose built bungalows for clients with physical disabilities.

As well as developing and managing rental housing, we also provide:

• intensive housing support services for older people in our rented sheltered housing schemes
• direct support for residents with learning disabilities
• leasehold management services
• maintenance services

Colne Plus

Our Supported Housing Team, Colne Plus+, provides intensive housing management, support and advice to help residents maintain their tenancies and live independently. The Colne Plus+ team provides a range of housing and support services to a wide variety of clients, including those in our sheltered and supported housing schemes.

Sheltered Housing

We own and manage almost 200 properties for retired people aged 55 and over across Essex. In these schemes we employ a Scheme Officer who provides support to enable our tenants to live independently for as long as they wish.

The service is paid for via the rent and is funded by Essex County Council's Supporting People team, for those receiving Housing Benefit. Otherwise the cost is borne by the tenant. The support tenants receive whilst living in sheltered housing is permanent and integral to the tenancy agreement. It includes the provision of an emergency careline connection.

For more information see Our Homes and Apply for Sheltered Housing, e-mail support@colnehousing.co.uk or contact us on 02106 244700.

Supported Housing

The Society has various arrangements in place to assist people who require support to live independently. These arrangements include:

• shared housing for those with learning disabilities or challenging behaviour
• self contained housing with support for those with mild to moderate learning disabilities
• shared and independent housing provided in partnership with NACRO
• care homes provided in partnership with MENCAP and SCOPE

The team also provides the Society's disabled adaptations service, helping residents remain living at home safely and independently.

We also manage almshouses and co-ordinate floating support referrals.

The Society works collaboratively with a variety of agencies to ensure our tenants receive the support they need. Access to the Society's supported housing arrangements is through nominations from the local authority, primary care trust or support agencies. E-mail support@colnehousing.co.uk or see Our Homes for more information.

Leasehold Management Services for Homeowners

We provide leasehold management services to over 140 leaseholders, the majority of whom live in our 4 leasehold retirement schemes. For more information, please request our Leaseholders Guide.

Maintenance Services

At Colne, we want to make sure that your home is well looked after in the long term. Our maintenance service is staffed by experienced tradepeople who aim to complete all repairs in a timely and professional manner. Our IS0 9001:2000 accreditation is evidence of our regular internal and external quality audits.

Almshouse Management

The Society is corporate trustee for five almshouse charities, providing management and maintenance services to secure these unique homes for the future. For more information contact our supported housing team at support@colnehousing.co.uk or contact us on 01206 244700.