[Sue Missin]

Please remember when calculating the social rent that Almshouses had exemption from the rent cut in 2016 – it makes a significant difference, please ensure your model to calculate the social rent is bespoke and not one for a RP which would be calculating rents without any CPI increase

[Sue Missin]

With regards to the process or an Almshouse who has received grant funding but who is a converting to a CIO, this is not uncommon
From a Homes England perspective the use of the grant to retain the homes as social housing does not change and therefore the grant should be able to be switched to the CIO
There is some guidance in the Homes England capital funding guide, but if uncertain please ask to speak to the Historical grants team at Homes England Grant_Notifications@homesengland.gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/capital-funding-guide/7-grant-recovery

Homes England grant funding is only available to registered providers for any newbuild developments or the purchase of new homes that will add to the homes managed by the Charity. To become registered it currently takes 18 months even if you have only recently become de-registered.

[Sue Missin]

A number of the Almshouse Consortium members have over time changed to CIO. At the time it was not a reason for doing so but have since realised that having CIO status has helped to recruit new Trustees or to retain them especially when considering taking on a building or major repairs project that could be expensive. Trustees would not wish to be involved if they were personally liable!

[Sue Missin]

Ideally you should have a separate element of the WMC for service charge elements.The combination of service charge and housing costs are the WMC. There was a seminar provided last year on the importance of setting up service charge and it identified that some elements that can be included in a service charge may not be eligible for housing benefit
An added advantage to the service charges is that it provides and further opportunity to clearly demonstrate engagement with residents when holding an annual meeting for the service charge review and consulting on the various elements of the service charge and how as the landlord you are trying to obtain value for money in agreeing the contracts for the work whilst accurately accounting for the costs to maintain the services

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