THE borough's largest housing association claims just under a fifth of its sheltered housing stock does not meet elderly people's needs and aspirations and has no future'.

THT's chief executive Matthew Gardiner, confirmed the announcement affects 170 units and 85 users who are all aged 60 or over.

A consultation process is currently taking place and many of the elderly people affected could eventually be asked to leave their homes and find places elsewhere.

Mr Gardiner said: "This is not about making cuts or savings or reducing provision - it's about changing and meeting people's needs.

"In recent years there's been a change in the type of provision expected and more people with high levels of dependency are now cared for in their homes.

"We care about our tenants. We know many of our older tenants find moving unsettling, but we are committed to developing new ways of providing services which give people choice and independence."

The first stage of Trafford Housing Trust's review has already seen the closure of Isobel Baillie Lodge in Old Trafford.

THT - who say one of their key priorities is to improve and develop suitable housing for the elderly' - commissioned an external agency to review its 27 sheltered housing schemes last year.

Now a second review will look at alternative uses' for four schemes at Calder Court in Urmston; Cornbrook Court in Old Trafford; Roebuck Gardens in Sale and Vale Court in Bowdon.

"There are a range of options for all the schemes but the chance of Bowdon being sold are somewhat higher. It's not well used but is in an attractive area," said Mr Gardiner.

The schemes under review were built in the mid 1960s and early 1970s. Scheme managers, formerly known as wardens, are on site during the day and tenants also have access to an emergency on call system.

Under Trafford's choice based selection scheme' tenants bid to live in these properties.

But THT says there's no waiting list and it takes up to 100 days to fill a place when it becomes vacant, three times longer than the average.

Jacque Allen, head of supported housing said: "They are unpopular because they're institutionalised, half empty and in remote areas without amenities.

"A lot of people also have concerns over general standards - they tend to be bedsits, with poor facilities such as shared bathrooms and no communal areas."