FAQs

We are an independent charity that develops, runs and manages seven developments of mobility apartments for Jewish people aged 18 upwards who have a physical disability or vision impairment.

Our core philosophy is that every individual is entitled to a life of independence, dignity and choice. Through our unique facilities, we enable adults of all ages who are physically disabled or vision impaired to live independently behind their own front door with the safety net of 24 hours a day, seven days a week on site emergency support from our team of house managers.

All of our one and two bedroom apartments are allocated to tenants based on their need and our availability.

The first step is to complete an application form. The application form can be completed online here, downloaded and printed, or posted to you if you prefer.   Once we have received your completed application, we will ascertain whether or not you fulfil our criteria (please see below). You will need to provide a brief medical summary which is obtainable free of charge from your GP.

If you meet the criteria, a home assessment will be arranged at a time convenient for you. Our Lettings Coordinator will arrange to visit you in your own home or arrange a video call to assess your needs and ascertain whether Jewish Blind & Disabled would be able to provide you with appropriate accommodation. 

The length of time between applying and being assessed depends on all documentation being completed correctly. The length of time before a flat can be allocated depends on the urgency of your current situation and whether we have an appropriate flat available to suit your needs. With your help in supplying the required information, we will do our utmost to undertake these steps as quickly as possible.

In order to be considered for a home assessment you need to be:

• Jewish
• Aged 18 or over
• Physically disabled and/or have a vision impairment
• Living in accommodation that is unsuitable for your needs
• Capable of living independently within a supported environment

We do not run care homes nor do we offer ‘care’ to our tenants although our house managers do provide 24/7 on site support. However, as our entire ethos revolves around promoting independent living, their role is to support tenants if required, for example, in an emergency or if a friend or family member is unable to make contact. They also call around all the apartments each morning and evening to check that everything is ok. 

We expect our tenants to be capable of living on their own, independently, or with a partner/child/parent, behind their own front door with the help of the many special features designed to enable their independence.

Within each apartment, all rooms, including wet floor shower rooms, are fitted with alarm pull cords which can be used to alert house managers should they be needed.

In addition, all our apartments have an intercom system that can be used to call for help. If extra support is required for specific tasks, our tenancy support team can liaise with social services or offer advice about private care agencies who can provide care and support you need to assist you to live independently. 

We currently have seven developments of apartments across North East and North West London: Barkingside, South Woodford, Wanstead, Kingsbury, East Finchley, Mill Hill East and in Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire.

All of these are modern, well-maintained, custom-designed buildings with welcoming and attractive lounges, well-maintained gardens where tenants can socialise with friends and neighbours if they choose to do so.

There is currently limited availability at Milne Court and Cherry Tree Court but other developments have waiting lists. The waiting time for a flat in any of our developments can vary and depends on different factors including vacancies and the urgency of your situation. 

This will be your home and our flats are not furnished although we do provide an electric hob, oven and fitted wardrobe. You must bring everything that you would normally need in addition to these items.

Jewish Blind & Disabled insurance only covers building insurance. We would therefore advise tenants to take out their own insurance to cover personal items and valuables.

We can help you to work out whether you would be entitled to benefits or self-funding the cost of your accommodation. In general, if you have more than £16,000 in capital assets and savings, and your income level falls above the qualifying income for housing benefit assistance, your local authority will assess you as being able to self-fund your rent (i.e. you will be expected to pay for your own accommodation). This sum includes any property and assets you own.  You may however be able to qualify for a housing benefit contribution towards your rent.

You are required to pay rent and service charges by Direct Debit. Whatever you pay, as an independent charity that does not receive any government funding, we fundraise throughout the year to enable us to continue to provide the highest level of support to all those who need our specialist services.

Yes. When accepting a tenancy with Jewish Blind & Disabled we will ask that a deposit of the equivalent of one calendar month’s rent be paid to be held for the duration of your tenancy. This will be registered with the Tenants’ Deposit Scheme.

Absolutely! We are here to provide housing and support to Jewish people however observant they are. 

We encourage our tenants to be part of and to celebrate the Jewish faith, its culture and traditions. Our communal areas are strictly kosher. In the communal areas a Jewish atmosphere is actively encouraged, whilst Shabbat and festivals are always observed in the traditional way. The level of kashrut and observance in each tenant’s flat is at their own discretion.

Some of our developments offer Shabbat lifts and Shabbat friendly access. We work with each individual to ensure that we can meet any specific needs they may have.

We encourage tenants to play an active role in their community. Some tenants choose to organise communal activities and events and this is something we encourage.

In each development there are a range of classes and activities that take place. From discussion groups to health and well-being programmes, from art groups to quizzes, and celebrating all of the Jewish festivals.  There really is something for everyone. 

Living independently in your own flat allows you to participate in activities as much or as little as you like but we hope that engaging in what’s on offer will enhance your daily life.  You can even play a part in helping to plan and deliver your own programme of activities.

We also hope that your families and friends will become involved too.  Whether this is through helping to run an event in a building, joining a fundraising committee, volunteering, or simply donating – it can make a real difference.

Unfortunately, we do not currently allow tenants to keep pets unless they are registered assistance dogs.

• Mobility scooter room in most buildings
• Handrails throughout common areas
• Lifts to all floors
• Colour coded floors
• Video entry phones to all flats
• Landscaped gardens
• Lounges
• Kosher milky communal kitchens
• Guest suites
• Communal laundry facilities
• Weekly shopping trips in our mobility bus with our dedicated  minibus driver