LATEST NEWS

Information Technology Grants

The Association is delighted to announce that six almshouse charities have been awarded grants for the provision of IT equipments as part of the “Make It Happen” capacity building initiative the Housing Associations Charitable Trust (HACT)

The initiative supported both by HACT and Orbit Charitable Trust has been able to identify a number of almshouse charities most in need of capacity building support – therefore targeting the small resource most appropriately.  Grants to the charities have ranged from £1,000 to £3,500 in support of IT equipments, IT training and IT office equipments.

Housing Corporation Cash for Almshouse Charities

The Association’s new arrangement with the Housing Corporation for an opportunity that enables unregistered Almshouse Charities to bid for Social Housing Grant has borne fruit.

The Corporation’s National Affordable Housing Programme for 2008/11 provided £6.9M to help pay for both new build almshouses and for modernisation and improvement works. The Association has set up a new partnership to enable members, who do not usually apply for Social Housing Grant, to bid to the Corporation. In the first round of applications, 19 applications were made on behalf of 15 Charities for 179 units. Following the Corporation’s evaluation of all bids received nationally, the Association was pleased to hear that 12 member Charities had been allocated funds. Whilst this will not fund 100% of an individual project, an allocation of Social Housing Grant often makes the vital difference in securing a project’s viability.

Almshouse Charities wishing to learn more about this funding avenue should contact the Association’s Assistant Director, Patrick Wild, in the first instance. His email address is asstdir@almshouses.org

Scheme Managers' / Wardens' Seminars

Unfortunately the seminar due to take place at NUMAST in Wallasey on 18th March 2008 was cancelled due to lack of response.

It has been brought to our attention it is difficult for many Scheme Managers to travel a long way to attend a seminar – especially where it may mean an overnight stay and therefore two days away from their Charity. We have, therefore, decided to offer a further seminar in the Birmingham area which may be more accessible. Details are enclosed with this Gazette. We require at least 20 participants in order to make the seminar worthwhile and so we ask that you send in your reservation as soon as possible to enable us to ensure this seminar will be held.

The seminar scheduled for Aylesbury on 16th September is filling up fast – if you have not already signed up for this seminar and wish to attend please call Sue Turner to ensure spaces are available before forwarding your payment.

Any Scheme Managers and Wardens who are already signed up for the Aylesbury seminar but would prefer to transfer to the Birmingham seminar to be held on 2nd July please call Sue.

During the next few months we will be planning the seminars for 2009. Input from our members on topics you would like to see covered would be very much appreciated. Any suggestions should be forwarded to Sue Turner at The Almshouse Association.

Trustees and Clerks Seminars 2008

Please see the Forecast of Events. Application forms will be delivered in the quarterly mailing in the very near future. No advance telephone bookings please.

Scheme Managers/Wardens 2008

Please see the Forecast of Events. Application forms will be delivered in the quarterly mailing in the very near future. No advance telephone bookings please.

Advertising Vacancies in Almshouses

Almshouse charities may advertise their vacancies through the Association’s website.  DO REMEMBER that all vacancies will be advertised for two months and THEN DELETED unless the charity concerned requests that the advertisement be extended for a further period.

Almshouse Charity Websites

Member Almshouse Charities can display their website details on the Association’s website page.  Please email the details.

Warm Front Grants for Almshouse Charities

Age Concern (England), acting in support of the Association, have finally gained confirmation from EAGA [the consortium tasked with implementing the scheme on behalf of DEFRA and distributing funds] that almshouses are eligible for Warm Front Grants.

As part of their research the following was revealed in Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 1530 The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) Regulations 2005 that says:

“Persons who may apply for a grant  …..

(4) for the purpose of this regulation  -

“tenant includes a sub-tenant and a person who has –

(d) a licence to occupy which meets the conditions of paragraph 12(a) and (b) Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1985(25)(almshouse licences)

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051530.htm 

How to Proceed?   Contact the Warm Front Team:-  eaga plc, FREEPOST NAT 13708, EAGA House, Archibald Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1ZL and ask for the details.  Alternatively e-mail for details to networking@eaga.com  or telephone 0800 316 2814  (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)

Loan Funding

The Association acts as a custodian of a number of special charitable funds.  The Edward Kemp Fund has recently been added to the list.  This charity has funds which are to be used specifically to benefit almshouse charities in the County of Hertfordshire.  The funds will normally be made available in the form of interest free loans for projects such as building, purchase of refurbishment of almshouses but applications for other purposes may be considered.  Can you take advantage of such funding?  Contact the Association.

There are other funds available for loans to almshouses elsewhere in the  country and specifically for almshouses in Suffolk, Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire or Berkshire.