You may be thinking of moving, or have to leave your old home because of life changes or health problems. Or you may simply be unhappy with where you are living now. If you value your independence and privacy and want control and choices in your life, extra care housing could be for you.

Extra care housing schemes have self-contained apartments or bungalows, each with one or two bedrooms, kitchen, lounge and bathroom or shower room. Most schemes have communal facilities, such as lounges, hairdressers, library services and laundry. Some have a restaurant, should you chose not to cook for yourself, and an on-site shop and IT room.

Support staff are available during the day. Care staff are on duty 24-hours a day, and all flats have an emergency alarm system.

All schemes have activities for you to get involved in, so you can make new friends, maintain current interests or develop new ones.

Couples are welcome, and you can have friends to stay.

Where are the schemes in Sandwell?

There are six schemes with 24-hour care, and more are being developed.

Six schemes with 24-hour care

1. Aviary Court, Wiltshire Way, West Bromwich B66 3NT
   Tel: 0121 588 8444
   More information about Aviary Court
2. Holly Grange, Mallin Street, Smethwick B66 1QY
   Tel: 0121 520 0201
   More information about Holly Grange
3. Manifoldia Grange, Coyne Road, Off Bromford Lane, West Bromwich B70 7JU
   Tel: 0121 525 2792
   More information about Manifoldia Grange
4. Millennium Forge, Coyne Close, Tipton DY4 8EL
   Tel: 0121 557 5473
   More information about Millenium Forge
5. Penmakers Court, Millpool Way, Bearwood, Smethwick B71 2SS
   Tel: 0121 555 4190
   More information about Penmakers Court
6. Swallow Fields, Sedgley Road West, Tipton
   Tel: 0121 520 1973 
   More information about Swallowfields
7. Walker Grange, Central Avenue, Tipton DY4 9RY
   Tel: 0121 520 0201
   More information about Walker Grange

Schemes being developed

1. Charles Pearson Court, Mill Drive, Smethwick B66 3HW
   Tel: 0121 358 0966
   More information about Charles Pearson Court
2. Exon Court, Robert Road, Tipton DY4 9BD
   Tel: 0121 522 3085
   More information about Exon Court

There is also a new scheme being built in Oldbury, Queensridge Court, in partnership with housing organisation Housing 21. Read more about this in our press release about the naming of the scheme. We are planning to have a scheme in Greets Green, West Bromwich.

Who runs the schemes?

Some of the schemes are run by Sandwell Homes and others by housing associations. Most are for rent, and in others there is an opportunity to buy the leasehold.

How much will I have to pay?

All the schemes vary in cost, depending on the size of the accommodation. The amount of rent, service and support charges will depend on the size of the flat and the services provided.

You may qualify for help with some of these costs. Our welfare rights officer from Supporting People can give advice about how moving into extra care housing will affect you financially, and what benefits you can claim. It is a good idea to find out this information before you move into an extra care scheme.

You can contact the Supporting People welfare rights officer on 0121 569 5334.

How do I apply for extra care housing?

You will need to complete a Sandwell Homes housing registration form. 

If you need further information, or help to complete the form, you can contact:

• your local adult social care fieldwork team
• a health professional such as your doctor or community nurse
• your housing officer, if you already live in council or housing association property
• a voluntary organisation such as Age Concern or Citizens Advice

You could also apply to go onto the waiting list by contacting:

• the scheme you are interested in.
• the Housing Options Team
• your local housing neighbourhood office
• Sandwell Homes Choice Based Lettings

You can arrange to have a look around the scheme you are interested in before you make an application.