Extra Help & Advice

In addition to our general housing management service, we also offer intensive housing management and advice to help tenants maintain their tenancies and live independently. This is provided by our Supported Housing Team, Colne Plus+.

Supported Housing

The Society works with a variety of specialist care and support providers to provide supported housing solutions. Some of our partners, like MENCAP and SCOPE, work nationally and others such as Autism Anglia, are based locally and have specialist knowledge of our local area. Access to the Society's supported housing is usually through nominations from the local authority, primary care trust or support agencies.

For more information contact support@colnehousing.co.uk.

Support in our Retirement Housing Schemes

We own and manage almost 200 properties for retired people aged 55 and over across Essex. In these schemes we employ a Retirement Scheme Officer who provides support to enable our tenants to live independently for as long as they wish. We also provide a careline connection for peace of mind in emergencies.

This support is paid for via the rent and is called a Support Charge. If you receive housing benefit this charge is paid for you by the Supporting People at Essex County Council. If you pay your own rent, you must pay your own Support Charge along with the rest of your rent. The support you receive whilst living in retirement housing is integral to your tenancy and is permanent.

For more information or to apply, see Apply for Sheltered Housing

If you want to know what other housing and care options may be open to you, we recommend you contact your local council or the Elderly Accommodation Council on 020 7820 1343 or at their web site www.housingcare.org. They provide information on a wide range of housing care options available across the country.

Floating Support Services

We want to help tenants from all backgrounds sustain their tenancies and remain in their homes. To assist with this aim the Supported Housing team coordinates referrals to the regional Floating Support services, funded by Supporting People.  

Floating Support is a free service and lasts between 6 months and two years. Once we've made a referral an assessment is carried out to decide whether Floating Support is right for you. A support worker is then allocated who will talk to you in details about your needs and how they can help you achieve your goals. This can include managing debts, getting adaptations done in your home, getting welfare benefits, accessing medical services or helping you to live independently.  

If you are interested in Floating Support you can speak to your Housing Officer, Income Management Advisor or our Customer Services Team. Alternatively, speak directly to our Supported Housing Coordinator who will be pleased to talk over your needs with you.

Aids & Adaptations

Sometimes ill health or a change in your circumstances means your home is no longer suitable for you. Sometimes this means considering a move, in which case you should talk to us about our transfer waiting list. However sometimes it may be possible to adapt your home to better suit your needs. This might include installing a ramp, putting grab rails in your bathroom or an extra handrail on your stairs.  

We carry out minor adaptations and work with our local authority partners when major works are required, helping tenants apply for Disabled Facilities Grants when appropriate. If you think the Society may be able to help you live independently and safely at home, please contact our Supported Housing Coordinator.  

Ten Tips to Avoid a Christmas Debt Hangover

Christmas is a time of giving, but you don't want to give yourself a headache in the New Year with bills and debts you can't afford.  It is all too easy to overspend.  There are tempting offers and pressures to buy, but you must decide how much you can afford before you start spending. Planning, budgeting and organisation are key to avoid getting into debt at Christmas and beyond. If you're spending runs out of control, you can soon find that debt is not only a problem at Christmas, but can become a way of life.  Check out our ten top tips to help you get through the festive season, and not through your overdraft.