Younger Residents

[Charles Porter]

We’re a small village almshouse charity in Northamptonshire and currently offer accommodation to people of limited financial means, not less that 55 years of age and who have been resident in our village for at least two years or who can demonstrate strong or long-standing connections with the village.

We are in the process of building 6 new bungalows which the current residents will move into by the end of the year. The plan is to refurbish the original almshouses and make them available to younger people. Do any organisations/trustees have any experience of doing this? We would be interested in learning more about your residency criteria, experiences and particularly if you limited residency to a pre-specified time period?

[clerk@salisburyalmshouses.co.uk]

Dear Charles

As well as sheltered accommodation for older people, we also administer a charity offering low priced housing to single parents and young families.

Originally the residents were given licences much the same as our older people. However, this meant that they still stayed in the properties after their circumstances had changed (children flown the nest, new job with more money, relationship meaning two salaries etc). When I became Clerk the Trustees agreed that we should ask all new residents of these properties to reapply on an annual basis. We ask them for their financial details, and three months’ pay slips and bank statements. This way we can ensure that the people we house are still eligible. If the Trustees feel that they are no longer eligible, then they are given notice.

We make it very clear at interview and on appointment that the accommodation is not permanent and is aimed at giving the families a ‘leg up the ladder’ and we encourage them to save – doesn’t always work!!

Do feel free to contact me should you want to discuss this further.

Susan Coen
clerk@salisburyalmshouses.co.uk

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