Extra care housing

Extra care housing offers self-contained accommodation and onsite care and support services.

It allows people to be part of an active community, while knowing help is always available.

Many sites have onsite staff 24 hours a day in case of emergencies and to provide care to homeowners and tenants. Sites without 24-hour staff supervision offer telecare that is linked to a 24/7 monitoring and responder service.

There are usually onsite facilities which can include:

communal lounges
restaurant
gardens
hairdresser
gym

Who can extra care housing help?

Extra care housing is for people aged 55 and over with social care needs. However, applications for disabled people under 55 will be considered by most schemes.

Two-bedroom apartments may be suitable for couples, where one person has care needs that would usually require moving into residential care.

Two-bedroom apartments can also be a suitable option for older parents with adult children who have additional needs.

How to apply

Extra care housing can be:

purchased privately
purchased via a shared ownership agreement
rented

The application process can vary across each site. For example, at Saxon Court, residents must be eligible to join the housing register.

For more information about applying for extra care housing, you can contact:

the housing scheme directly
Solihull Community Housing

If you’re considering renting or you’re likely to require financial support, you will need to complete a needs assessment. This can be done online or by contacting adult social care.

Get help from adult social care

How much does extra care cost?

As a resident you pay:

rent (unless you own the property)
household bills such as electricity and water
a service charge for maintenance and communal facilities

Depending on the outcome of your financial assessment, you may also need to pay towards the cost of your care.

If you’re on a low income, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit to help towards rent, bills or service charges.