EAC Housing Options

Definition: EAC's Housing Options database contains information about almost all housing for older people in the UK.

EAC's Housing Options database contains information about almost all housing for older people in the UK. By housing we mean self-contained flats, bungalows or houses - to buy or to rent.

The database aims to include all developments or schemes that cater exclusively for older people, and that incorporate design features and/or services to meet their needs. Many names are used to describe these schemes, including: sheltered housing; retirement housing; extra care and very sheltered housing; close care and assisted living apartments; retirement villages; Abbeyfield houses and Almshouse charities. The database covers over 25,000 developments or schemes containing 600,000 properties.

Most schemes have staff on site to provide support or assistance of some kind. The role of the staff varies a great deal between schemes, as do their job titles - warden, scheme manager and court manager being typical ones. An emergency alarm system is built into most schemes so that residents can call help if they need it, at any time of day or night.

Most also have some facilities for use by all the residents - such as a guest suite, a laundry, a residents' lounge, a garden. Many schemes and individual properties are designed to accommodate wheelchair users, and almost all are built to make it easier for people with disabilities to get around in them.

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