Celebrating our 80th anniversary at the House of Lords

Celebrating our 80th anniversary at the House of Lords

The Almshouse Association marked its 80th anniversary with a special celebration at the House of Lords, bringing together sector leaders, supporters and partners to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future of charity housing.

The landmark occasion served as both a milestone and a powerful catalyst for change, a sentiment perfectly captured by Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association:

“This anniversary is not just a celebration of our rich history, but a profound call to action to protect our shared future. We must ensure that almshouses and small charity housing providers continue to play a vital, irreplaceable role in providing secure, dignified homes for generations to come.”

Visionary insights from sector leaders

The event featured compelling, forward-looking contributions from distinguished leaders who clearly defined the challenges, the data, and the path forward for charitable housing.

Nick Phillips with Lord Best and Michele Wainright Abbeyfield CEO
David Holdsworth, Charity Commission CEO
Sir Stephen Bubb

The Lord Best OBE DL opened the proceedings by emphasising that robust national housing policy underpins true community stability. He illustrated how preventative housing models deliver immense, measurable savings to public services and highlighted how the newly formed Charity Housing Alliance will successfully bridge the gap between small grassroots providers and national strategy.

Willie Hartley Russell, Chairman of The Almshouse Association, followed by honouring eight decades of collective wisdom and unwavering advocacy. He rallied guests to boldly champion independent living, dignity, and community-led care as the ultimate, time-tested roadmap for an aging society. David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, championed the vital necessity of exemplary governance and unity. His remarks empowered the sector to protect its foundational stability and rise together as an unstoppable, collaborative force against overly restrictive corporate policy frameworks.

  • Inspirational words from David Holdsworth, click here

Sir Stephen Bubb powerfully demonstrated that charity housing acts as an indispensable “social anchor,” delivering up to £75 billion in annual value to society. He championed the Alliance as our unified shield to drive evidence-led advocacy and protect housing for our most vulnerable populations.

Their presentations highlighted the enduring legacy of almshouses and their continuing relevance within today’s housing landscape. The profound impact of almshouses on residents’ lives was vividly illustrated through a heartfelt presentation by Geraldine Nelson, a resident of Trinity Hospital Almshouses in Greenwich, who shared her personal experience of almshouse living.

Geraldine
Guest listening to Geraldine’s heartfelt presentation

While our 80th anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate eight decades of impact, it also reinforced our ambition for the future. There are encouraging signs of growth across the almshouse movement, with new homes being built and new almshouse charities being established for the first time in over fifty years.

Yet significant challenges remain, particularly for smaller providers operating within an increasingly complex housing landscape. Against this backdrop, a key moment of the evening was the introduction of the Charity Housing Alliance, a new initiative bringing charity housing providers together under a collective voice. The Alliance will champion the sector, foster greater collaboration, and help shape a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable housing system for the future.

The CHA Manifesto for Change

The Charity Housing Alliance will pursue a rigorous, transformative agenda to reshape how charity-led housing is valued, treated, and governed:

  • Values-Driven Leadership: Supporting trustees as vital, compassionate stewards of a highly professional, robust, and deeply resilient housing sector.
  • Fiscal and Social Resilience: Offering an effective alternative to market-driven models, delivering long-term stability and beautiful community assets without placing burdens on the public purse.
  • A Bespoke Regulatory Framework: Respectfully advocating for a dedicated, proportionate regulatory path that formally recognizes charity housing providers as distinct public-benefit contributors rather than corporate entities.
  • Strategic Self-Regulation: Leveraging sector-wide unity as a constructive tool to share best practices, self-regulate, and organically raise operational standards.

A unified call to action

In his closing statement, Nick Phillips invited guests to show their commitment to this vital mission. In a moving display of solidarity, the room collectively raised their hands, signaling their support for the Charity Housing Alliance.

To learn more about the Charity Housing Alliance, visit: 🔗 https://www.thecharityhousingalliance.org

This new alliance stands as the definitive tribute to 80 years of dedicated service by The Almshouse Association. It marks a pivotal turning point for a movement that has quietly underpinned community resilience for eight decades. By transforming our collective, grassroots history into a singular, sophisticated voice, we are ready to reshape national housing policy and secure the proportional regulations our providers deserve. Celebrating this historic milestone is not just about preserving a rich legacy,  it is an active, evidence-led campaign to permanently establish community-led charitable spaces as indispensable pillars of health, dignity, and economic value for generations to come.

The Association extends its sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the event, and to CCLA for their generous sponsorship.

Housing LIN CEO, Jeremy Porteus sends 80th anniversary congratulations to The Almshouse Association

posted 29 June 2026

More’s Meadow secures prestigious RIBA East Award!

A Triumph for Community and Design: Great Shelford Village Charity’s stunning More’s Meadow almshouse development

We are delighted to announce that Almshouse Association member, Great Shelford Village Charity, and Winner of an Almshouse Association Inspirational Homes Award, has been now been honoured with a prestigious RIBA East Award for their More’s Meadow development.

This accolade recognises architecture that transforms lives. Centred around a vibrant, communal green, the development stands as a masterclass in modern design. Near-Passivhaus energy efficiency complements the Cambridgshire greenbelt. The project is a blueprint for the future of compassionate community-led housing.

“The project demonstrates that richness in public architecture can be created collaboratively, with engagement from all parts of society, from the most privileged to the most in need.”

Julian de Metz, RIBA East Jury Chair 2026

​Beyond delivering stunning genuinely affordable homes, Great Shelford Village Charity has enriched their wider village by expanding public green spaces with a flourishing community garden and allotments, and a new orchard for everyone to enjoy.  

We send our congratulations to Great Shelford Village Charity whose trustees, architects, contractors and supporters who worked incredibly hard to bring this stunning development to life.

Photo credit: Great Shelford Village Charity

posted 26 June 2026

Housing Ombudsman update June 2026

Housing Ombudsman landlord update: 018 | Housing Ombudsman Service sent this bulletin at 18-06-2026 05:12 PM BST

Please see below update from the Housing Ombudsman

View as a webpage
Housing Ombudsman Service
Welcome to your monthly update from the Housing Ombudsman, featuring the latest news and insights on complaint handling. 
The latest overview of our further investigations 

We have published an overview of our latest further investigations. These investigations are designed to improve landlord accountability and help prevent complaints by identifying lessons earlier and implementing actions sooner. The process can help you get more from complaints within your organisation and meet expectations within the consumer standards.

– Overview of our further investigations
New resources
Pest casesNew report
Learning opportunity

Our latest wider orders report sets out significant learning from pest-related cases. Read the report to understand where landlords can improve their approach. 

– Read the wider reports		Severe Maladministration – Windows

Our latest severe maladministration report focuses on windows. In 2025-26, 9% of our findings relating to windows resulted in severe maladministration, compared to the usual rate of around 2%. The report examines how window issues rarely exist in isolation. 

– Read the report
Celebrating good practice
Good practice on windowsCase Study Library
Bitesize videos

Explore our short videos for landlords on managing window complaints.

These 2-minute videos share learning and good practice from our August 2025 severe maladministration report.

– Login to access learning		Over 80 videos now available

Explore how landlords manage window repairs and replacements.

The case studies look at when landlords got it right and wrong.

– Login to access the case studies
Get involved
The landlord forums are back for September 2026

Register now for the opportunity to hear the latest updates from the Housing Ombudsman, ask any pressing questions, and interact directly with us to shape our service. You will also be invited to join Landlord Connect, a new digital community for landlord forum delegates. 
 
– Local authority landlords, Thursday 17 September 2026, 14:00 – 15:30

– Landlords with under 1,000 homes, Tuesday 22 September 2026, 14:00 – 15:30

– Landlords with over 1,000 homes, Wednesday 30 September 2026, 14:00 – 15:30

Suggest a topic or raise a question for the forum
Stay compliant with complaints
Annual submissions Submissions process

Forms now live

The annual submission form for 2026-27 is now open and accepting submissions. 

Key dates   
– landlords with over 1,000 homes must submit the form by 30 September 
– landlords with under 1,000 homes must submit the form within 6 months after yout financial year-end

– Annual submissions guidance		Microlearning

Understand and master your annual submissions with ease.

This quick course breaks down each step. It helps you stay compliant, meet deadlines, and submit confidently.

– Annual submissions training
Pass it on
Let residents know what to expect for window repairs

We have a dedicated resident support guide available for window-related repair concerns. Share this with residents who may find it useful. 

– Resident window-related complaints support guide
Policy conversations with Southway Housing
In the first episode of our new policy review series, we are joined by Katie Teasdale from Southway Housing Trust to talk about their experience of a recent policy review.
They discuss the challenges, key learning, and practical changes made to strengthen complaint handling and meet the requirements of the Complaint Handling Code.

Listen to the podcast 
About the Housing Ombudsman Service
We are a free and impartial dispute resolution service. We investigate complaints from residents and leaseholders of member landlords (housing associations and local authorities) and voluntary members (private landlords and letting agents).
Our vision is to improve residents’ lives and landlords’ services through housing complaints.
Residents | Landlords | Contact us
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posted 22 June 2026

Royal visit celebrates new almshouse communities in East Devon

East Devon’s commitment to affordable, community-led housing was celebrated this month as His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester officially opened two new almshouse developments in Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary.

As Royal Vice-Patron of The Almshouse Association, His Royal Highness visited both communities to mark significant milestones for local charities providing secure, affordable homes for older residents.

In Budleigh Salterton, His Royal Highness opened the town’s first purpose-built almshouses, developed by The Shandford Trust at East Budleigh Road. The project is particularly significant as it represents the first newly established almshouse charity in the UK for more than 50 years. The highly sustainable homes provide comfortable, low-cost accommodation for local residents, with additional support available through the neighbouring Seachange Community Centre.

His Royal Highness  also visited Ottery St Mary to officially open Feoffee Rise, a new almshouse development created by the Ottery Feoffee Charity. Built on the former Brook Street Day Centre site, the new homes continue the charity’s long tradition of supporting local people, with roots dating back nearly 600 years.

During both visits, His Royal Highness met residents who have recently moved into the new homes and heard first-hand how the developments are helping people remain independent within their local communities.

Nick Phillips. CEO of The Almshouse Association said,

“These royal visits have been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate two exceptional examples of community-led housing in action. Both Feoffee Rise in Ottery St Mary and the new almshouses developed by The Shandford Trust in Budleigh Salterton demonstrate the incredible impact that dedicated local charities, trustees, volunteers and supporters can have in addressing housing need.

Meeting residents and seeing first-hand the difference these homes are making reinforces why the almshouse model remains so relevant today. These developments provide not only affordable, high-quality housing, but also security, independence, and a strong sense of community.

We are grateful to our Royal Vice Patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester for recognising the vital contribution of almshouse charities and helping to shine a spotlight on what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision. We hope these inspiring projects encourage more people across the UK to support and establish new almshouse charities for future generations.”

The visits concluded with commemorative presentations and plaque unveilings, marking two important moments for East Devon and highlighting the growing role of community-led housing initiatives in supporting older generations.

HRH unveils the official opening plaque at Budleigh Salterton
HRH officially unveils the plaque, officially opening the Ottery St Mary almshouses

Together, the developments in Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary showcase how local charities, volunteers and supporters can create lasting housing solutions that will benefit communities for generations to come.

Top picture shows The Duke of Gloucester (second left), Royal Vice-Patron of The Almshouse Association, officially opened the new Feoffee Rise almshouse development in Ottery St Mary yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the charity’s nearly 600-year history.

Accompanied by Mrs Mary Quicke MBE (left), Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, Willie Hartley Russell (second right), Chair of The Almshouse Association, and Nick Phillips (right), Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association, His Royal Highness was introduced to local dignitaries, including Vicky Johns (centre), Mayor of Ottery St Mary.

Photos credit: Richard Gray

In the news

posted 22 June 2026

Policy and Governance update: June 2026

June 2026 : A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news.

1. Charity Commission

The Charity Commission has published several updates to its guidance. Trustees may wish to read and familiarise themselves with these updates.

  • Short Leases – The Commission has removed guidance about short leases.
  • CC28 – Sales, leases, transfers or mortgages: what trustees need to know about disposing of charity land has been updated to reflect the Renters’ Rights Act.
    NOTE: (almshouse charities are usually obliged to rebuild and replace any almshouses sold at the same or greater numbers.)
  • Grant Making decisions – The Commission has also published new guidance to help charity trustees make confident, responsible grant-making decisions at a time when many charities are facing sustained financial pressure.
  • Role of a Charity Trustees – In support of Volunteers’ Week and the Big Help Out, the Charity Commission has published a new blog (What is a trustee and how do you become one?) and updated guidance promoting the role of a charity trustee.

2. New Guidance Pages

The Almshouse Associaiton has refreshed its External Support webpage, bringing together information on organisations and services that may be able to assist almshouse charities with governance, property management, resident support, fundraising and other operational matters. We encourage members to take a look and explore the resources available.

We have also updated our Independent Living Policy. Trustees and clerks are encouraged to visit our Model Policies and Templates page to review the latest version and consider whether any changes are needed to their own policies and procedures.

3. Consultations

Members may be interested in submitting responses to the following government consultations:

4. Fire Safety Act 2021 update

The Government has updated its guidance page for the Fire Safety Act to reflect the closure of the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool. See further details below on how this impacts almshouses.

Closure of the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool (FRAPT)
The Government has withdrawn the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool (FRAPT), which was introduced to help Responsible Persons prioritise the review of fire risk assessments following the Fire Safety Act 2021. Guidance has been amended to reflect the tool’s closure. Almshouse charities should ensure that their fire risk assessment review programme is based on their own documented risk-based approach and that external walls, balconies and flat entrance doors continue to be considered where required under the Fire Safety Act.

What does the closure mean?
The Government has removed references to FRAPT from the Fire Safety Act guidance, indicating that Responsible Persons can no longer rely on the government-operated prioritisation tool as part of their compliance strategy.

Implications for almshouse charities
For almshouse charities acting as the Responsible Person under the fire safety regime:

  • Fire risk assessments must still comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
  • External walls, balconies and flat entrance doors in multi-occupied residential buildings must continue to be considered within fire risk assessments where relevant.
  • Trustees can no longer point to a FRAPT score or tier as evidence of how they prioritised reviews of their stock.
  • Any prioritisation of fire risk assessment reviews will need to be based on the charity’s own risk assessment process, supported by competent professional advice where necessary.

Should you have any queries regarding any of the above information, please do not hesitate to contact our Policy, Planning and Engagement Manager via alicemorrey@almshouses.org

posted 8 June 2026

INDEPENDANT AGE WEBINARS

Benefits when you reach State Pension age | Hoarding | Housing Benefit | Falls and how to avoid them

The Almshouse Association is pleased to offer a great selection of free webinars to members, hosted by Independent Age, over the coming months.

You can sign up for as many as you want, just click into the following ‘sign up here’ links and follow the instructions:

Hoarding

Thursday 3rd September, 10.30am

Our Adviser Rachel will be covering what hoarding is, how it can affect a resident’s life, where to get support, and how to help someone you’re worried about. 

  • To join online: Sign up here
  • To join this webinar by phone: Call 020 3321 5200 a few minutes before the session is due to start and enter code 384 270 77#

Housing Benefit

Thursday 1st October, 10.30am
This webinar will look over What Housing Benefit is, who can claim it, how much they could get, and what happens after they claim.

  • To join online: Sign up here
  • To join this webinar by phone: Call 020 3321 5200 a few minutes before the session is due to start and enter code 202 836 902#

Falls and how to avoid them

Thursday 12th November, 10.30am
Jocelyn will look at why falls happen, ways to avoid them, and what to do if your resident  has a fall.

  • To join online: Sign up here
  • To join this webinar by phone: Call 020 3321 5200 a few minutes before the session is due to start and enter code 524 810 070#

posted 3 June 2026

Volunteers Week 2026

💙 It’s Volunteer Week! 💙

This week, we’re celebrating and saying a huge thank you to all our incredible Members who volunteer their time to run and manage more than 1,600 almshouse charities across the UK.

Your dedication, compassion, and commitment make a real difference to the lives of residents and help communities thrive. The time and care you give, often behind the scenes, never go unnoticed.

We are enormously grateful for everything you do and proud to celebrate your contribution this Volunteer Week.

Housing Ombudsman update May 2026

Housing Ombudsman landlord update: 017 | Housing Ombudsman Service sent this bulletin at 10:14 on 27. 05.26

Please see below update from the Housing Ombudsman

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Housing Ombudsman Service
Welcome to your monthly update from the Housing Ombudsman, featuring the latest news and insights on complaint handling. 
Business Plan 2026-27 published

We have published our Business Plan for 2026-27, setting out how we will respond to rising demand and deliver faster outcomes for residents.

Cases accepted for investigation have risen nearly 500% in five years, from 2,253 in 2020-21 to over 13,000 in 2025-26. We predict a further 60% increase in 2026-27.

Our plan sets out a phased approach built around three priorities:

– stopping the number of open cases from growing
– resolving older cases more quickly
– delivering faster outcomes for residents

Find out more about our Business Plan 2026-27
New resources
Pest casesNew guidance
Awaab’s Law 

Key topics

As Awaab’s Law expands later this year, use our key topics page to understand what it means for you – including when landlords must act on reported damp, mould, and other serious hazards.

– Visit our key topics page		STAIRs guidance from NHF

The National Housing Federation has released new STAIRs guidance.
Landlords can use this guidance to understand what is required of them under the new STAIRs policy, and how to respond to information requests.

– Read the compensation guidance
Celebrating good practice
Bury CouncilOnward Homes
Free webinar

Join our free webinar to hear how Bury Council reduced their maladministration rate by 19%, the improvements they have made, and how they learn from complaints. There will be time for questions at the end.

– Book your place on the learning		Overhauling their approach

Following a severe maladministration finding where a vulnerable family was left in poor conditions for nearly two years. Onward Homes issued a wider review and made significant changes to how it responds to reports of damp, mould, and hazards. Its approach is now in line with Awaab’s Law.

– Read the case
Get involved
Thank you for joining us

Thank you to all those landlords who attended the landlord forums in March 2026 series. Make sure to join us on Landlord Connect, a new digital community for landlord forum delegates, keep the conversation going and let us know we can improve and develop the forums in the future. 
 
– Join us on Landlord Connect
– Register for a Landlord Connect account
Stay compliant with complaints
Annual submission form 2026-27 now liveMicrolearning on annual submissions process

The annual submission form for 2026-27 is now open and accepting submissions.
Key dates  
– landlords with over 1,000 homes must submit the form by 30 September 
– landlords with under 1,000 homes must submit the form within 6 months after their financial year-end 

– Annual submissions guidance		Microlearning

Understand and master your annual submissions with ease.

This quick course breaks down each step. It helps you stay compliant, meet deadlines, and submit confidently.

You can access this learning on the Centre for Learning.

– Annual submissions training
Pass it on
Let residents know about our new tool

We have added the Recite Me assistive toolbar to our website, making it easier for residents to personalise their experience and access information in the way that works best for them. Share this with residents who may find it useful.
Explore our accessbility tool on our website
Effective complaint handling workshops

Due to high demand, we have added three new dates for our effective local complaint handling virtual workshops. Book your place on 8 July, 20 August, or 22 September.

– Book your place onto a workshop
About the Housing Ombudsman Service
We are a free and impartial dispute resolution service. We investigate complaints from residents and leaseholders of member landlords (housing associations and local authorities) and voluntary members (private landlords and letting agents).
Our vision is to improve residents’ lives and landlords’ services through housing complaints.
Residents | Landlords | Contact us
Connect with us on LinkedIn

posted 1 June 2026

MY Trust: Young people’s almshouses

For more than 150 years, Sir Josiah Mason’s Almshouse Charity, now part of MY Trust (Mason Yardley Trust) has played a defining role in supporting vulnerable people across the West Midlands. Founded formally in 1868 by industrialist and philanthropist Sir Josiah Mason, the charity was established on a simple but powerful belief: that safe homes, education and opportunity can transform lives.

While the Trust is widely recognised today for its almshousing and care for older people, support for children and young people has always been central to its purpose. In the 1850s, Sir Josiah Mason built his first almshouses to provide homes for more than twenty widows and unmarried women, alongside accommodation for over thirty orphaned girls. The scale of local need soon became unmistakable. Demand for places for children and young people far outstripped provision, prompting Sir Josiah to undertake a far more ambitious project.

This led to the creation of what became Birmingham’s largest orphanage, opening in 1868 and forming the foundation of the Trust itself. The orphanage was preceded by the establishment of a school for the local community, providing free, non-denominational education at a time when access to learning was limited for children from poorer backgrounds. When it opened, the orphanage accommodated around 300 children, later expanding to provide homes and education for up to 500 boys and girls.

In recent years, the pressures facing care-experienced young people have grown exponentially. Rising housing costs, limited access to stable accommodation and the absence of family safety nets mean many young adults face the risk of homelessness at a critical point in their lives. It was this reality, combined with the enduring legacy of Sir Josiah Mason, that led the Trust to refocus on support for young people.

In 2023, the Trust launched Shine, a community based project supporting care experienced young people and those on the edge of care. Shine has already had a significant impact, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and navigate adult life with greater stability. However, community support alone cannot fully address the structural challenge of housing insecurity.  It was this understanding that led the Trust to develop Meeson Apartments.

Completed in March 2026, these new almshouses represent a significant milestone for the Trust. They are the Trust’s first standalone new build development in 25 years, and its first purpose built almshouses for young people in more than 170 years. Located in Solihull, the scheme comprises four highquality apartments, designed specifically for care experienced young people, offering a careful balance of independence, security and access to support.

Each apartment is EPC rated A, featuring air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels. The homes are fully self contained and include a private patio or balcony, a spacious double bedroom, a lounge with access to a dedicated kitchen, and a modern wet room.  .  The scheme was constructed by Harper Group Ltd and completed in under a year, following careful planning and consultation. Every aspect of the design reflects a deep understanding of the needs of young people transitioning into independent living.

Residents will live independently while also benefiting from wrap-around support delivered by the Trust’s Shine team in close collaboration with their housing services. This integrated approach ensures that the apartments provide more than shelter: they offer a stable foundation for education, employment, personal growth and resilience.  Being based on the edge of one of the Trust’s largest sites also means that there will be plenty of opportunities for intergenerational activities.  This includes a new project called Grandfriends, where young people will be matched with older residents for mutual friendship and support.

The project has been funded through a combination of Homes England funding (accessed via The Almshouse Consortium Ltd), charity reserves, and fundraising support from a range of charitable trusts. It reflects the trustees’ long-term commitment to reinvesting in communities and responding proactively to emerging social need. The apartments are named in honour of Ken Meeson, a long-serving trustee and former Mayor of Solihull, recognising his dedication to public service and lasting local impact.

Although the first residents are only just preparing to move in, the significance of Meeson Apartments is already clear. For the young people it will house, the project offers far more than accommodation, it provides stability, dignity and the opportunity to shape a future on their own terms. For the Trust, it represents a confident step forward, combining historic values with modern, sustainable housing solutions.

As the Trust prepares for the official opening later this year, the scheme stands as a tangible example of how long established charities can innovate while remaining true to their roots.

Meeson Apartments is part of several new initiatives as MY Trust continues to evolve. honouring its past while building brighter futures for the next generation.

posted 21 May 2026

Policy & Governance update: May 26

MAY 2026 UPDATE: A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news.

1. Charity Commission Update

The Charity Commission has updated its guidance on:

The Charity Commission advises that the updated guidance on identifying and managing conflicts of interest in a charity is more accessible and easier to use. The approach to managing conflicts is broadly the same although the 3 steps for managing conflicts (identify, prevent, record) in the previous guidance have been updated and expanded to 5 (identify, declare, consider removing, manage, record).

The Charity Commission’s guidance on social media now emphasises that social media is a governance issue, not simply a communications issue. Trustees should therefore ensure that:

  • the charity has appropriate oversight of social media activity
  • risks relating to reputation, safeguarding, misinformation, confidentiality and cyber security are managed
  • staff, volunteers and trustees understand expected standards of conduct online
  • social media activity aligns with the charity’s purposes and best interests
  • decisions relating to controversial or sensitive content are appropriately authorised
  • complaints, incidents and safeguarding concerns arising online are dealt with appropriately
  • political neutrality and campaigning rules are understood
  • trustees regularly review whether social media activity remains proportionate and beneficial to the charity

Trustees should also ensure that social media use reflects the charity’s values and contributes positively to public trust and confidence in charities.

Members may wish to update their policies in accordance with this update. New Almshouse Association template policies coming soon.

2. Financials

The Charities Acts 1992 and 2011 (Substitution of Sums) Order 2026 will increase various financial thresholds for charities from 30 September 2026. As a reminder, the changes include:

ThresholdIncrease from 30 September 2026
Payments which don’t trigger the professional fundraiser regime.Increased in line with inflation to £15 per day or £1,500 per year
Currently £10 per day or £1,000 per year
Payments to a collector.         Same as above
Statutory right to a refund from TV or radio fundraising appeals.Raised to £150
Currently £100
Under s69 Charities Act 2011, the threshold below which the Charity Commission may exercise its scheme-making jurisdiction on application from certain specified parties. Raised to £1,000
Currently £500
Audit of accounts of larger charities – assetsRaised to £5,000,000
Audit of accounts of larger charities – incomeRaised to £1,500,000
Audit requirement for group accountsRaised to £1,500,000
Account and statement option for lower-income charities.Raised to £500,000

3. New route for housing complaints ombudsman opens to non-tenants

Following changes introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act, people with concerns about how councils manage social housing will now be able to take complaints to an independent Ombudsman, even if they are not tenants themselves.

Until now, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) could not investigate complaints about housing management from non-tenants, while the Housing Ombudsman only dealt with complaints raised by tenants of social landlords. This left some individuals without a clear route for redress when things went wrong.

From 1 May 2026, changes to the Local Government Act 1974 extended the LGSCO’s role to include considering complaints about local authority social housing management brought by people who are not tenants. The Housing Ombudsman will continue to deal with complaints from tenants about their social landlord, including where that landlord is a local authority.

4. Council Tax changes

Vulnerable people will have more time and support to settle their outstanding council tax bills under reforms to make the system fairer from next year.

  • Changes will be made to the administration of bills, with households given 63 days (roughly two months) to settle their bill and a requirement for councils to work with them on a sustainable repayment plan.
  • Billing for council tax will also be shifted to 12-month payments by default, rather than the current 10 months
  • Costs which councils can charge when seeking a liability order (i.e. how councils recover overdue bills) will be capped to £100.

These reforms are part of a response to a consultation to modernise and improve the administration of council tax that was launched in June 2025, which the Almshouse Association responded to on behalf of its members.

posted 20 May 2026