On Thursday 11 March, Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips will be taking part in Aberdeen Standard’s Charity Matters virtual event together with legal expert Gordon Reid, Partner at Moore Barlow.

During this webinar, the panel will be discussing a future vision for almshouses in the 21st Century and current legal/governance issues.

Almshouse charities are not the only organisations facing the twin challenges of being shaped by a long history whilst also looking to be ready to address the challenges of today, so it is expected that other heritage bodies will find the webinar of great interest, making for a captivating and useful live Q&A session.

If you would like to register for the webinar, please click in the link below

Posted 2 Mar 21

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Almshouse Association panel member Geoff Trobridge from Lester Aldridge LLP, hosted a webinar on behalf of The Almshouse Association on the topic of Trustee roles and responsibilities on 25th February 2021.

85 members signed up for this popular webinar which covered:

• The duties of a trustee
• What trustees are responsible for
• How to reduce liability

A recording and powerpoint slides are now available to all members and can be accessed by clicking in the links below;

• Trustee Roles and Responsibilities webinar recording – 25 Feb 21

• Trustee Roles and Responsibilities powerpoint slides – 25 Feb 21

Posted 2 March 2021

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As a result of the ongoing national lockdown, the Government has announced guidance to protect renters.

This guidance is not legally binding, but suggests best practice. Whilst The Almshouse Association would advise its members to follow this guidance during the national lockdown, members should remember that the terminology used will not reflect the legal status of almshouse residents and should take additional advice where necessary.

The key measures announced are:

• Evictions will not be enforced whilst national restrictions are in place, except for the most egregious cases such as anti-social behaviour and fraud,
• Taken with the winter pause on enforcement of evictions, this means that there will not be any bailiff activity until 31 March 2021 at the earliest except in the most serious circumstances,
• Six month notice periods will remain in place until at least the end of August 2021, except for most serious cases.

Housing possession claims are able to be actioned through the courts, but evictions will not be enforced except in the most serious circumstances.

These serious circumstances are:

• Cases of illegal occupation,
• Anti-social behaviour,
• Fraud,
• Eviction of a perpetrator of domestic abuse in social housing
• Where a property is unoccupied following the death of a tenant.

MHCLG have said they also intend to introduce an exemption for extreme pre-COVID rent arrears and will provide more details on this in due course.

More information can be found here.

Posted 17 Feb 21

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The Almshouse Association has partnered with Housing LIN for a research project which will enable us to better understand the benefits of living in an almshouse.

Current evidence in this area is difficult to find, with it largely coming via word of mouth. We know how brilliant almshouses are and the life changing opportunities they bring to those who live in them. Yet in our efforts to promote a better understanding of the almshouse model, we need firm evidence which we can present to stakeholders and politicians. It is hoped that this research will provide a cost-benefit analysis of the model, with the hope of allowing us to make a stronger argument for allowing more almshouses across the country. But we cannot complete this research without your help.

We know that you are busy, but you would really help to improve the quality of the research if you could fill in the survey by clicking in the link below. We understand you might not have access to all the data which is requested, but we would ask you to fill in as much as you are able to provide to allow us to create the most complete picture.

Housing LIN are also looking for participants to take part in some more in-depth interviews following on from the questionnaire. If you would like to take part then please include your details on the relevant question.

Thank you so much for your time. We all know the benefits of almshouses; now it’s time everyone else does!

posted 16 Feb 2021

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Government Minister Lord Greenhalgh has responded to a question on almshouses raised by Almshouse Association Ambassador Baroness Joan Bakewell.

In his response Lord Greenhalgh noted:

“The definition of ‘Affordable Housing for Rent’ in the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework requires in most cases that the landlord of the accommodation will be a registered provider of social housing – that is to say, registered with the Regulator of Social Housing…Local planning authorities are free to decide that almshouse accommodation, rather than affordable housing, is a more appropriate form of accommodation to require through planning obligations.”

The definition of affordable housing in line with the National Planning Policy Framework is an issue which the Association is working to change. We believe that the definition has a detrimental effect on smaller almshouse charities who may like to expand, but do not want to go through the arduous registration process.

We thank Baroness Bakewell again for raising the question and for her continued support of our work.

Posted 15 February 21

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Each month, the Association posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact / requires action from our member charities, with links to further information where applicable. Please find below our Jan/Feb 21 Summary.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Renters could be evicted for arrears built up during pandemic under legislation tweak – The Government has tweaked regulations to remove protection for tenants falling behind on rent as a result of the crisis for the first time. Previous legislation carried a provision that eviction notices could be served only for arrears where the amount owed to the landlord totalled equivalent to nine months’ rent and that any unpaid rent arrears accrued after 23 March 2020 must be disregarded. The new regulations (already in effect) lowers the arrears threshold to six months’ rent and removes any reference to disregarding debt built up during the pandemic.

Energy and Environment

The Future Buildings Standard – MHCLG has published a consultation – closing 13 April – on changes to Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations for non-domestic buildings and dwellings; and overheating in new residential buildings. It has also published related guidance for Approved Document L (conservation of fuel and power), Approved Document F (ventilation) and Overheating. Members may be interested in responding to the suggestions for new residential buildings.

Coronavirus

You can find all our Coronavirus updates here

Previous Policy and Governance updates:
Policy and Governance update – January 2021 Summary
Policy & Governance update – December 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – October 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – September 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – July/August 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – June 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – May 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – Apr 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – Mar 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – Feb 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance –Jan 2020 Summary
Policy and Governance – 2019 Summary

Posted 10 February 21

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The Almshouse Association’s 75^th Anniversary Year

It’s now official! 

As 2021 starts a fresh New Year, we are celebrating our 75^th Anniversary and we are delighted to be sharing this special milestone with you all.

It’s our opportunity to get to know you better and for us all to join together and celebrate your achievements and your dedication to the Almshouse Movement too.

It seems that it is now more vital than ever to raise the profile of the many tangible benefits that your almshouses bring to your local communities, and the heritage that you are preserving for future generations. Our recent YouGov survey revealed just how few people really know about almshouses. We want to change that!

Throughout 2021, we are planning a focused approach to our marketing and PR activities. We will be campaigning heavily in Parliament to generate more support for the Almshouse Movement and will be looking at opportunities to generate more local and national press coverage. We will also be seeking ways to engage local councils to help them build more of an understanding of almshouses.

We want this 75th anniversary year to see us working more closely with you to support your needs even more and assure you of our integrity and professionalism at all times.

We relish the thought of visiting some of your planned garden party events, if possible.  Your events will be part of our ‘Open Garden Campaign’ starting in early summer and running through to the early autumn months. We are truly delighted to have received so many requests from you for our Celebratory Packs.

These will be winding their way to you from early March and include lots of hints and tips to help your day run a little easier, whether you are planning an onsite party at your almshouses or participating in an off-site event. Whatever you are hoping to organise, we want to help make your day special so please call us if you need any extra support during this time.

Our own garden party event is in the initial stages of being organised and is planned for late summer. More details of this will follow in due course!

All these events will really highlight your fantastic work and help us all celebrate your achievements within your local community.

As well as helping you celebrate your achievements, your almshouse garden parties and/or local events you plan to participate in could also help you to expand your networks and encourage more local support, including trustee recruitment.

Getting local/regional/national media coverage could lead to more financial and practical assistance for your charity so, where possible, we will try to get the local press involved. Increased local awareness could help you towards providing longer term maintenance of your almshouses and fulfilment of vacancies. Your Celebration Pack will include some flyers on how to involve and manage local journalists and local radio .

If you would like to have a chat about any proposed activity you are considering, please contact our Campaign Manager,  Gerry Harmon on gerryharmon@almshouses.org or call our office number, 01344 452922.

We look forward to working with you during this celebratory year!

#SupportAlmshouses

Posted 28 January 21

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Almshouses raised again in the House of Lords

The Almshouse Association would like to express its thanks to Baroness Joan Bakewell DBE, HonFBA, FRSA for raising a question in the House of Lords regarding Section 106 agreements.

Although Baroness Bakewell, who is also an Almshouse Association Ambassador, did not receive an immediate answer, we look forward to hearing from the Government on the points she raised.

We are proud to see our engagement efforts beginning to bear fruit with an aim to see almshouses regularly mentioned in Parliament. You can help us in this effort by reaching out to your MP who can reach out to The Almshouse Association to support our work and that of the movement. You can also invite them to join the APPG on Almshouses which has its first meeting on February 4^th.

Baroness Bakewell’s question can be viewed here

Posted 26 January 21

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