Housing for Varying Needs Review - Aberdeen City Council

Housing for Varying Needs ReviewAPPENDIX 3THE DEFINITION OF SHELTERED, AND VERY SHELTERED, HOUSINGThe Scottish Government collect information annually on the amount ofhousing that is provided for ‘special needs’. This annual S1B return includesinformation on amenity, sheltered, and very sheltered housing. The definitionsused by the Scottish Government are as follows:Amenity housing - the design is based on the standards of generalneeds housing, with the addition of those features listed in 1 to 9 of thesheltered housing definition below. There is no warden, and acommunity alarm may or may not be fitted.Sheltered housing - the design is based on the standards for generalneeds housing with the addition of the following features:1. Housing should be provided at ground or first floor level, or in blocksover two storeys high served by at least one lift.2. Space standards should be the same as for one or two persongeneral needs houses.3. Handrails should be provided on both sides of all common accessstairs, and on at least one side of all common access areas andpassages.4. Bathroom doors should be either sliding or capable of openingoutwards, and fitted with locks operable from the outside.5. Bathroom floors should have a non-slip finish.6. Handrails should be fitted beside the WC and bath/shower.7. A space heating system must be provided which is capable ofmaintaining a temperature of 21C when the outside temperature is -1C in the following parts of the house: living area, sleeping area,kitchen, bathroom, hallway.8. Light switches arranged to line horizontally with door handles.9. Socket outlets fixed at a height of at least 500mm above the floor.10. A warden service should be provided.11. An emergency call service should be provided connecting eachhouse to a warden system.Very sheltered housing - this form of housing (sometimes known as‘care’ and ‘extra care’ housing) generally has all the features listed forsheltered housing, but will usually have special bathroom facilities. Inaddition, a greater level of care and support is offered through theservice of extra wardens, full-time carers or domiciliary assistance, andthe provision of meals.38