Review of Sheltered and Very Sheltered Housing Services – Information for Tenants and Families
Last updated 20 August 2026
Caledonia Housing Association has completed a review of the Sheltered and Very Sheltered Housing services provided at four of our developments in Perth and Kinross.
Our current Very Sheltered Housing model has been in place since the 1990s. Over time, the needs and expectations of older people have changed, alongside the wider housing, care and support landscape.
The review considered how our current services operate and how they can continue to support tenants to live safely, comfortably and independently, while remaining affordable and sustainable for the future.
The review included:
- Cameron Court, Comrie
- Canal Street, Perth
- Corrie Place, Scone
- Almond Place and Tay Place, Comrie
Outcome of the review
Following consultation with tenants, staff and other stakeholders, the Caledonia Board carefully considered all of the information gathered through the review, including tenant and staff feedback, survey responses, emails, consultation meetings, operational information and financial data.
The Board has now agreed the future direction for each development:
- Canal Street, Perth and Corrie Place, Scone will transition from Very Sheltered Housing to Retirement Housing
- Tay Place and Almond Place, Comrie will transition from Very Sheltered Housing to Amenity Housing.
- At Cameron Court, Comrie, the Board has made the difficult decision that the Very Sheltered Housing service will close. This will not happen immediately. The transition will be carefully managed through a person-centred approach, with Caledonia working individually with tenants to understand their circumstances, housing preferences and support needs.
There will be no immediate changes to current services while the transition arrangements are being developed.
For Canal Street, Corrie Place, Tay Place and Almond Place, existing services will continue until the end of March 2027, with the new housing models expected to begin from April 2027.
At Cameron Court, the Very Sheltered Housing provision will be phased out through a person-centred approach. Due to the accommodation at Cameron Court, it is not possible to transition this to another housing model.
Why has this decision been made?
The Board carefully considered all of the information gathered through the review and consultation process before reaching its decision. This included:
- feedback from tenants, families, staff and other stakeholders;
- current and future housing and support needs; affordability for tenants;
- demand for Very Sheltered Housing;
- the use of services such as communal meal provision;
- tenants’ ability to live independently; and
- the long-term financial sustainability of the services.
The Board considered all of these factors together in determining the most appropriate future model for each development, to ensure that services are sustainable both now and in the future.
What did tenants tell us?
Tenant feedback played an important part in the review. Across the consultation:
- 59% of tenants participated in the consultation process.
- 94% of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the current service.
- Affordability and access to appropriate support were among the important issues raised by tenants.
We recognise that many tenants value the existing services, staff presence and the communities within their developments. This feedback was carefully considered alongside other information gathered through the review.
While some tenants expressed a preference for services to continue as they are, the review did not identify a viable and affordable option that would allow the current Very Sheltered Housing model to continue in its present form.
Frequently Asked Questions What will Retirement Housing mean for Canal Street and Corrie Place?
Canal Street and Corrie Place will move to a Retirement Housing model from April 2027. Under the new model, tenants will continue to live independently in their own homes within an established community.
The Retirement Housing model will continue to provide:
- an on-site Scheme Manager;
- a Scheme Cleaning Operative to maintain communal areas;
- shared laundry facilities; and
- a warden call system.
The current housing support and meals services will end. As Caledonia will no longer provide a registered housing support service at these developments, the services will also no longer require registration with the Care Inspectorate.
Where tenants require additional care or support, this can be arranged separately according to individual circumstances. We will work with tenants individually to understand their support needs to ensure that appropriate arrangements in place before the new model begins.
What will Amenity Housing mean for Tay Place and Almond Place?
Tay Place and Almond Place will move to an Amenity Housing model from April 2027.
Amenity Housing is an independent living housing model for people aged 50 and over. There will be no on-site staff and Caledonia will no longer provide a warden call service.
Tenants will continue to live independently in their own homes, with Caledonia remaining responsible for managing and maintaining the homes and communal areas.
The change will also reduce the charges associated with the current Very Sheltered Housing service. The Supporting People charge paid to Perth and Kinross Council, and the alarm charge will be removed. The service charge paid to Caledonia will reduce, with charges mainly relating to the upkeep of communal areas.
Tenants will have greater flexibility to arrange additional support according to their individual circumstances, such as a community alarm service where required. We will work with tenants individually to understand their support needs and help them put appropriate arrangements in place before the new model begins.
What is happening at Cameron Court?
The Board has made the difficult decision that the Very Sheltered Housing service at Cameron Court will close.
Unlike the other developments included in the review, Cameron Court will not transition to another Caledonia housing model. Due to the nature of the accommodation at Cameron Court, it is not possible to transition the development to another housing model.
There will be no immediate change for tenants. The closure will be carefully managed through a person-centred approach, with Caledonia working individually with each tenant to understand their circumstances, housing preferences and care or support needs and to discuss the options available to them.
We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different and tenants will be supported individually throughout the transition. Where appropriate, we will also work with families or representatives, Social Work services, care managers and other support providers.
Why is the outcome different for Cameron Court?
Cameron Court has experienced ongoing low demand for Very Sheltered Housing, resulting in properties remaining empty for extended periods.
Caledonia has taken a number of steps to try to increase demand, including targeted marketing campaigns and paid advertising, as well as working closely with Perth and Kinross Council to promote available homes and explore opportunities to increase referrals. Despite these efforts, they have not resulted in a sustained increase in demand for the service.
The Board considered this alongside tenant feedback, the changing needs of older people and the long-term sustainability of the service when reaching its decision.
Will tenants have to move from Canal Street, Corrie Place, Tay Place or Almond Place?
No. The changes at these developments relate to the housing and service model, rather than tenants having to leave their homes.
Assessments undertaken as part of the review found that 94% of current tenants are able to continue living independently in their homes, taking account of the proposed changes to service provision.
Where tenants require additional care or support, we will work with them individually and, where appropriate, with families, Social Work services, care managers and other support providers to help ensure appropriate arrangements are in place.
Will Cameron Court tenants have to move immediately?
No. The Very Sheltered Housing service at Cameron Court will close, but this will not happen immediately. Tenants do not need to take any action at this stage, and their tenancy agreements and security of tenure are not affected.
The closure will be managed through a person-centred approach rather than through a single change for everyone at the same time.
Caledonia will meet with tenants individually to discuss their circumstances, housing preferences, care and support needs and the options available to them. No tenant will be expected to make alternative arrangements without support.
We recognise that Cameron Court is our tenants’ home and that the prospect of change may be unsettling. We are committed to managing the transition sensitively and ensuring tenants are kept informed and supported throughout the process.
Will rents or service charges change?
There are no changes to rents or service charges for the 2026/27 financial year as a result of the review.
From April 2027, changes to the services provided under the Retirement and Amenity Housing models will reduce the associated service charges.
For example, tenants moving to the Amenity Housing model at Tay Place and Almond Place will no longer pay the Supporting People or alarm charges and will have a reduced service charge.
We will provide affected tenants with detailed information about any changes to their charges well in advance of the new service models being introduced.
What will happen to staff?
The changes to service provision will have implications for staffing across the developments.
The scale and impact of any workforce changes have not yet been determined. These will be considered through a formal employee consultation process before any decisions about individual staffing arrangements are made.
Does Caledonia’s reported operating surplus mean there is money available to continue funding the Very Sheltered Housing service?
No. It is important to clarify that the operating surplus reported in Caledonia’s annual accounts is not a surplus generated by the Very Sheltered Housing service, nor is it a pot of money available to fund individual services.
As a responsible housing association, Caledonia needs to maintain a strong financial position to protect the organisation and its tenants against financial and operational risks and ensure it can continue to meet its long-term commitments.
The Board’s decisions on the future of Very Sheltered Housing followed a detailed review and were based on a range of factors, including tenant and staff feedback, current and future housing and support needs, affordability, demand for the service and financial information.
What happens next?
Our priority is to support tenants through the transition and ensure they understand what the changes mean for them.
We are meeting with tenants and will continue to provide opportunities for tenants, families and representatives to ask questions and discuss any concerns.
Over the coming months, we will review individual support needs and work with tenants and relevant partners to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place before changes are introduced.
For Canal Street, Corrie Place, Tay Place and Almond Place, the new service models are expected to begin from April 2027.
For Cameron Court, there will be no immediate change. The closure will be carefully managed through a person-centred approach, with tenants supported individually as plans progress.
Keeping tenants informed
We are committed to keeping tenants informed throughout the implementation process. We will communicate directly with affected tenants through letters, meetings and individual discussions and will continue to update this page as plans develop.
Questions or concerns?
If you have any questions about the review, you can:
- Speak to a member of staff at your scheme
- Contact Customer Solutions by telephone on 0800 678 228 or by emailing info@caledoniaha.co.uk
