Supported Housing

The Society provides supported housing for 125 people with a variety of needs from clients with physical and learning disabilities to young parents and those being supported by Nacro, the crime reduction charity.

If you are interested in supported housing for yourself, a relative or client, please contact our Supported Housing team for advice.

Permanent Housing for Residents with Learning Disabilties

We provide shared housing for more than 85 people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, Aspergers Syndrome and autism. We work in partnership with the Primary Care Trust, Social Services and Autism Anglia. Care is usually provided 24 hours a day by an agency appointed by Social Services.

We also provide some self-contained homes in small groups. We have two schemes of 4 one bedroom flats in Heybridge, near Maldon, for people with mild learning disabilities who can live independently with low levels of support. Nominations are provided by Maldon Social Services (Tel: 0845 603 7630).

Elm Tree Court in Halstead was opened in early 2010. It provides eight one bedroom flats for people with learning disabilities who previously lived at the Nether Priors residential care home, right next door. In future though, applicants will be nominated by Essex County Council.

The scheme was recently a finalist in the National Housing Federation's "What We Are Proud Of" awards (eastern region). Click here to view the press release.

Temporary Accommodation for Young Parents

In 2007 we opened our first development for young parents in Heybridge near Maldon. It provides temporary accommodation and support for parents aged 16 to 25 for six months to two years. Parents must either be expecting their child or have a child under two years old to qualify.

To qualify for housing you must have been accepted as homeless by Maldon District Council and nominated by them. Maldon District Council can be contacted on 01621 854477 for further advice.

Other Partnerships

We also work in partnership with a range of other agencies including NACRO (the crime reduction charity), MENCAP, SCOPE (supporting people with cerebral palsy), Essex County Council and Acorn Village. If you are interested in knowing more about our partnership work, please contact us on 01206 244700 or email support@colnehousing.co.uk.

Almshouses

Almshouses are the oldest form of charitable housing. The first recorded Almshouse was founded by King Athelstan in York in the 10th century AD. The oldest charity still in existence is thought to be the Hospital of St. Oswald in Worcester, founded circa 990. There are almost 1,800 separate Almshouse Charities in the UK with 2,600 groups of Almshouses. Over 30,000 Almshouse dwellings provide accommodation for some 36,000 people.

Housing in almshouses are often targeted at those who have a long standing connection with a community, at those from certain forms of previous employment, or their families, and are maintained by a charity or the trustees of the original bequest.  Charities are usually run by a board of trustees; a group of people committed to ensuring the future of the almshouses. Colne Housing is the “Corporate Trustee” of  5 almshouse charities housing 37 people meaning we are responsible for collecting rent and maintenance charges and managing the scheme.

Our Supported Housing team oversee the day to day management supported by Property Services and Income Management. Residents of almshouses are beneficiaries and are awarded a "letter of appointment" rather than a tenancy. Whilst this does not provide ultimate security of tenure, the Society considers almshousing to provide a home for life. We hold a small waiting list for our almshouses. If you are interested, please contact our Customer Services Team for details.

For more information on Almshouses, visit the Almshouse Association website.