Over 55s | Radius Housing

Independent Living - a lifestyle choice

Independent living accommodation allows you to enjoy living in high quality apartments or bungalows specifically designed for people over the age of 55.

Radius is the largest provider of independent living accommodation for older people in Northern Ireland. Our services have been developed to meet the wide housing and support needs of older people.

Accommodation is designed to promote quality of life and to help older people maintain an independent lifestyle in an environment that breaks down barriers of social isolation and promotes overall well-being.

Independent living accommodation is cost effective to heat and maintain and schemes are located close to shops, cafes, places of worship, public transport, and other amenities. Tenants can also avail of free on-site car parking (amount varies).

To achieve our objective of providing a safe, environment for independent living, each property is fitted with an emergency, 24-hour Connect 24 call system. When triggered, this alerts either scheme-based staff or Connect 24 call advisors who will respond and provide assistance.

As an Independent living tenant, you have the choice to take part in a wide range of social activities, events, and outings. These can include a weekly lunch club and coffee morning providing an opportunity to enjoy great home cooked food and socialise with your neighbours and friends.

: Category 1 independent living refers to self-contained housing (bungalows or flats) for active older people, providing independence with optional warden support and communal facilities, common in Northern Ireland’s supported housing for the elderly, balancing privacy with security and community connection.
: Category 2 independent living, typically known as Category 2 (or “Cat 2”) supported or sheltered housing, is a form of self-contained accommodation in the UK designed for less active older people who require some level of supervision or support to live independently.

Each of our Cat 2 schemes has a Scheme Coordinator whose primary role is to provide person-centred housing support to each resident in a way that respects their dignity and confidentiality while promoting independent living.
Each resident undertakes a support needs assessment with the Scheme Coordinator to help develop an individual support plan which can be updated at any time depending on the resident's changing needs.

Interested in applying for Independent Living accommodation?

If you are interested in applying for independent living accommodation you will need to register with the Housing Executive by completing a housing application.

If you are already a Radius Housing tenant (or another housing association), you will need to complete a Transfer application form.

The Housing Executive will arrange for an officer to assess your housing need and award the appropriate level of points. Your name will then be placed on the waiting list for the scheme/area of your choice, and you will be contacted if a suitable vacancy becomes available.

Further Information on Applications and Transfers

How to Apply

Transfers

Independent Living in Later Life

This provides all the information you need to know about Living Independently in later life in one of our apartment or bungalow schemes in Northern Ireland - whether it's for you or a family member, this will provide peace of mind and help you make the right decision when the time comes.

Independent Living: Your Questions Answered

This video supports our Independent Living in Later Life production and helps provide answers to most questions that you may have before you make any decision.

Radius HA - Modernisation of the Sheltered Housing Support Service Project

This video was created by NIHE Supporting People to promote the outcomes achieved through collaboration, partnership working and funding opportunities by Provider Innovation Funding.

We took the opportunity and successfully applied for nearly £70k funding to improve IT connections in over 100 Sheltered Housing Schemes located all over NI making real and positive connections with our service users/customers to promote improved access to online services.