Last updated on 11/04/08
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Appropriate housing is vital for the independence and quality of life of disabled people. Unfortunately appropriate housing can often be difficult to find. This fact sheet gives details of some of the places for you to start if you are seeking housing.

Social Rented Housing
Social housing is rented housing provided by your local council, housing association or local housing agency. So the first place to start if you require rented housing, but do not want to go straight to a private landlord, is your local council housing department.

The advisory section provides assistance for council tenants who wish to purchase their home and advice to landlords and tenants in the private rented sector.

Council Housing
Doncaster Home Choice is the new way of allocating council homes in Doncaster. It is a choice based lettings scheme, which means you can choose which home, in which area you would like to live in. You must be registered with Doncaster Homes Choice. Contact St Leger Homes of Doncaster on 01302 862 628 for an application pack. If you are already registered with St Leger Homes for re-housing, you will automatically be registered with Doncaster Home Choice. To take into account your housing needs there will be four bands - Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. You will be banded accorfing to your priority under the new allocations policy. Your priority will be based on your application details. Please note that adapted properties will be allocated through the Accessible Housing Register. Applicants will have had an assessment and require the adaptations already carried out within the property.

The advisory section provides assistance for council tenants who wish to purchase their home and advice to landlords and tenants in the private rented sector.

Housing Associations
Housing associations are overseen by the local council which sets standards and regularly monitors each association.
(See our fact sheet for a list of Housing Associations)

Homelessness
Over 11,000 disabled and elderly people each year are classed as homeless by their local council. Most of these people will not have been without a roof, but will be living in housing which is unsuitable or are threatened with homelessness. Circumstances are investigated and applicants are determined whether they have priority and for what reasons they find themselves homeless. The aim is to secure accommodation. 

Home Exchange Scheme
The Mutual Exchange Scheme enables existing tenants within the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Area to move to another Local Authority if the applicant needs to give support to or to receive support from relatives in that area. Elderly and disabled council tenants wishing to move to another area under the scheme should initially contact the Homes Officer.

Disabled Facilities Grant
This is a means tested grant which is mandatory in some situations. It is available for adaptations to allow a disabled person to live more independently in their own home. Owner occupiers, private tenants, landlords and council or housing association tenants can all apply.
The grant is available for a wide variety of adaptations, including alterations to the entrance of the property, adaptations to the bathroom, kitchen or living room, stair-lifts and adaptations to electrical controls and heating.
The adaptations will depend on the individual needs of a disabled person and an assessment from an Occupational Therapist. The maximum amount for a mandatory grant is £30,000. However the income and assets of the disabled person and their spouse will be taken into account and they may have to make a contribution. (Disabled Facilities Grants)

Intercommunication Systems And Dispersed Alarms
Dwellings for the disabled can be linked to the councils "Housing care" 24 hr. Intercommunication facility which allows voice contact with the Central Control Wardens at the press of a button.
Private occupiers who are either elderly or disabled can rent a Dispersed Alarm for a small fee which is linked to Central Control and the Mobile Wardens.

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Contacts

Housing Services
Kings Mews
64 - 66 East Laith Gate
Doncaster
DN1 1JD
Tel: 01302 862 043 (Homelessness & Advisory officer)
Fax: 01302 862 006 (Homelessness & Advisory officer)
Advisory:
Right to buy,
Private sector advice,
Homelessness & Advisory officer.

Intercommunication Systems And Dispersed Alarms
Council House
College Road
Doncaster
Tel: 01302 737 189 (Central Control)

St Leger Homes of Doncaster Ltd
Repair Centre
c/o St. Leger Homes of Doncaster Ltd.
St. Leger Court
White Rose Way
Doncaster
DN4 5ND
Freephone: 0808 126 3123 (8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday)
Tel: 01302 862 862
Website: www.stlegerhomes.co.uk
Description: Established to manage and carry out improvements to the council's housing. Including Doncaster Home Choice.

Housing Registration (St Leger Homes Ltd)
Council House
Ground Floor
College Road
Doncaster
Tel: 01302 736 640 or 01302 737 673

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Doncaster YMCA Housing Association
31 Wood Street
Doncaster
DN1 3LH
Tel: 01302 342 148
The association has Bedsits in the Doncaster Town Centre for 18 - 35 year old people.
2 Bedsits are adapted for wheelchair users. No pets allowed. A communal laundry.

Mind Housing Support
28 Morley Road
Wheatley
Doncaster
DN1 2TN
Tel: 01302 342 525
Mind has 2 houses which are converted into flats.
The flats may be rented by anyone suffering from a mental illness.

Doncaster Womens Aid
19 Priory Place
Doncaster
DN1 1BZ
Tel: 01302 321 432
Tel: 01302 326 411
E-mail: mail@doncaster-women-aid.co.uk
Refuge accommodation for women and children (boys up to 16 years old).
The advice line is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 11am and 2 pm.
Outreach service covers the Doncaster Borough for people unable to get into the town centre.

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Doncaster Housing for Young People

Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP) is a registered charity which was formed in 1993 to develop and run projects aimed at meeting the housing needs of homeless young people in Doncaster.
DHYP is an independent voluntary organisation run and managed by a Membership Committee, whose membership include representatives from Social Services, Health Authority, Youth and Community Service, Probation and other voluntary agencies.

Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP)
Supported Lodging Scheme
11 Chequer Road
Doncaster
DN1 2AA
Tel: 01302 738 198
Caters for Men and Women aged 16 to 25 years, placing them in homes in the community provided by ordinary people and fully supporting the young person and the householder.
Drop in Monday - Wednesday - Friday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm at office.
Outreach Service - Amanda Taylor.

Outreach Scheme
Address as above
Tel: 01302 321 956
Helps young people find suitable affordable housing by assisting with applications etc.

Floating Support Service
Address as above
Tel: 01302 329 460
Helps young people who have their own tenancy to maintain that tenancy through practical help and advice.

The M25 Housing and Support Group
Open House Plus
College Road
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN1 3JH
Tel: 01302 369 360
Fax: 01302 369 360
Description:
Services for those who are homeless or socially excluded.

DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.

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