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

---

Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips will be taking part in Housing LIN’s HAPPIhour virtual roundtable event at 4pm on 28th January 2021.

In this #HAPPIhour event, supported by Winckworth Sherwood, Housing LIN will focus on almshouses in ‘Back to community-led housing roots: What future role for Almshouses in shaping local communities?

They will also be discussing the recent RICS Research Trust report, the Housing LIN guest blog and sector showcase, and will be joined by a number of guests including Alison Pooley Principal Lecturer at Centre for Alternative Technology,  Jeremy Porteus Chief Executive of Housing LIN, architects and Andrew Bibby Secretary of the Calder Valley Community Land Trust.

If you would like to register for this virtual event, please click in the link below to find out more:

https://www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/HAPPI-Hour-The-future-role-for-Almshouses-in-shaping-local-communities/

Posted 19 January 21

---

Almshouse Association panel member Tim Rutherford of Stone King Legal Services and Almshouse Association Chair and Director at The Trust Partnership Elizabeth Fathi, invite members to join a free webinar on 18th February 2021 between 2pm – 3pm

The webinar ‘To Merge or Collaborate – Why and How? – An Almshouse Toolkit’ will offer guidance and practical tips on the following items:

• The rationale for merger
• The strategy to find a merger partner
• The process – what to expect, what to negotiate and what to leave behind
• Collaboration – an alternative to merger?
• Looking back, reflections on the lessons learned from 2020

To find out more and to register, please click in the boxes below:

Posted 18 January 21

---

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 December 20/January 21 Summary.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

• Regulator of Social Housing’s Sector Risk Profile 2020 – The Regulator of Social Housing has produced its Sector Risk Profile for 2020, which sets out the main risks facing the social housing sector. The risks outlined are not confined to those registered with the regulator but provide warning and consideration for all almshouse charities.
  
  Members may be interested in the focus on “Quality of Stock” which many will be familiar with. We know all our members strive to ensure that beneficiaries live in high-quality housing at all times which meets or exceeds the Decent Homes Standard. We know that many members have already improved the quality of their accommodation through converting bedsits into one-bedroom homes or by investing in wet rooms, improved kitchens and new green initiatives to improve comfort and energy efficiency. With this in mind let us know what support we can offer when considering improvements to progress of almshouses in the 21^st Century.
  
• Building Safety Charter – Following on from the Dame Judith Hackett review there has been the creation of a Building Safety Charter. This has been discussed widely in the housing sector recently and our members may wish to view the Charter here.

Coronavirus

• You can find all our Coronavirus updates here
• Coronavirus Vaccine – The Government has also published guides on what to expect from the Coronavirus vaccine; one for social care staff and one for older adults. This includes details on possible side effects and how it protects you.
  
  The Almshouse Association is continuing to talk to the Government regarding access to the vaccine for almshouse staff and residents. We are seeking to ensure that almshouses are treated equally to other social care settings and we will continue to keep members up to date with any developments.
• Eviction ban extension – As a result of the new national restrictions to combat Coronavirus, the Government has extended the ban on bailiff evictions for all but the most egregious cases for at least 6 weeks – until at least 21^st February.

Previous Policy and Governance Updates:
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 11 January 2021

---

Dear all,

Firstly I thank you, our members, trustees, clerks, wardens and volunteers who have done so much to support your residents during the year, especially when so many of you have had your own challenges and commitments to take care of.

In the almshouse world, we often talk about buildings, governance, legislation, finance, fundraising…but actually… at the middle of it all…right at the heart of what we do… are the residents….and you and the residents make sure this is kept front and centre. You – by showing how you care every day of the year for your residents, and the residents – by letting us know how much their almshouse “family” means to them.

So what kind of a Christmas message can I give ? It is no exaggeration to say that it has been a dreadful year and maybe many people will not be celebrating Christmas. Covid has been such a pain, not just impacting our daily routine, but it seems to have seeped into our very psyche! It has made people ill directly and those it has not touched directly, it has made them scared and miserable. But! I am surprisingly optimistic about the year ahead . It is so often said that you only appreciate “it” when “it” has gone. Friendship and community mean everything in the almshouse world and this past year, we have desperately missed the company of others, meeting friends, sharing a chat, tea together, the relaxed atmosphere of a busy friendly pub, parties and celebrations, warm hugs and kisses – the thought of getting that all back is making me is making me feel really positive about the next year. I feel that there really is now a light at the end of the tunnel and it is getting so much brighter and closer. I can actually dare to imagine life getting back to normal. It will be different for a while, we have all been knocked off our feet this year, one way or another, but I know I will really appreciate time spent with others that maybe I was too busy to appreciate before and what I really miss – coming out to meet our members and residents .

And, here at the Association in 2021, as we celebrate 75 years of supporting and representing almshouse charities, we intend to celebrate all the great work of almshouses, all your hard work in keeping the spirit and function of almshouses going, keeping your residents buoyed up and giving so much.

We all wish you, your families and residents a peaceful, safe and warm Christmas and a bright, positive New Year!

Our phones lines will be closed between 24th December and 4th January 2021. If you need to call urgently during this time, please call Nick Phillips CEO on T: 07483 390054

Posted 16 December 2020

---

Almshouse Association Response to the Energy White Paper

The Almshouse Association welcomes all efforts to create a greener, more energy efficient society. To safeguard our future we must take on this task with the strongest will and determination. The Energy White Paper forms an initial part of this effort, but it does not provide enough information to reassure many of our members.

Many of our members are investing in new, green improvements to their properties through schemes such as the Green Homes Grant. This support will be vital in ensuring members can take that first step towards more energy efficient almshouses. However, the size of the task at hand is of such scale that this grant alone will not suffice in the long term.

Due to the historic nature of almshouses, a large proportion of our members across the country oversee listed buildings. Improvements to these buildings requires a high level of skill to maintain the integrity of the building. This skill comes with a high cost, a cost which many charitable providers of housing just cannot afford.

The Almshouse Association is ambitious to see a green revolution across the almshouse movement, not only because it is good for the planet, but because it will improve the lives of almshouses residents. Improved energy efficiency will not only reduce costs but will also improve the comfort and health of residents. However, we cannot achieve these improvements alone and so we need further clarification from the Government on additional unique support which can be provided to almshouses.  

This could include:

• Targeted funding for historic and listed buildings through trusted, registered providers who can bring these buildings into the 21^st Century, whilst respecting the building’s natural heritage
• Longer deadlines to become EPC compliant as many would struggle to bring themselves into line with an EPC C by 2035 without other interventions
• Exemptions to continue for buildings which have proven attempts to improve energy efficiency. Currently, if £3,000 is invested in energy improvements and the EPC is still below requirements, an exemption is granted. If alternative support cannot be provided then some would have no choice but to seek an exemption.

We look forward to working with the Government on these proposals so that almshouse charities can be clear as to their role in our greener future.

Members may wish to view the full White Paper here.

If you have any thoughts on the proposals then please email Jack Baldan at jackbaldan@almshouses.org

Posted 15 December 20

---

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 November/December 2020 Summary.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

• Protection for renters – MHCLG have reiterated the protections for renters, apart from exceptional circumstances, from eviction during national restrictions and over the Christmas period. Evictions cannot be enforced by bailiffs until 11^th January, with the 14 days’ notice required meaning that no action should be taken before January 25^th.

• Spending Review/LHA Freeze – The Chancellor made a number of announcements during the annual Spending Review. This year the review only provides funding to Government departments for one year, rather than the usual three years. The most significant announcement for almshouses is that Local Housing Allowance rates will be frozen from April 2021. This decision will result in as cut in housing benefit when taking inflation into account.

• Immigration and Social Security Co-Ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 – The Government has passed its reforms to immigration ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period. The new rules:
  • End freedom of movement
  • Make EU, EEA and Swiss citizens subject to UK immigration controls
  • Makes a provision to protect Irish citizens’ immigration rights
  • Provides a power to amend retained EU legislation relation to social security co-ordination
  • Any members who employ EU nationals should look into how the change in law may affect them.

• Universal Credit direct rent payments to social landlords – A change has been made through the Universal Credit Landlord Portal so that social landlords receive direct rent payments on the same cycle as their tenants receive their benefits. Members may wish to make themselves familiar with this system if they feel it would help them more easily collect their WMC. It should be noted that applications to enrol on the system are currently closed.

Coronavirus

Christmas Bubbles

Guidance has been published regarding Christmas bubbles which can be formed between December 23^rd and 27^th. The Government announced that three households can meet during this period to celebrate Christmas. The following points are also worth highlighting:

• You can only be in one Christmas bubble and cannot change your Christmas bubble
• You can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting your Christmas bubble
• You can only meet your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
• You can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble, outside your home, according to the rules in the tier where you are staying
• You cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble
• You must not form a Christmas bubble if you have coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.
• Existing support bubbles count as one household towards the three-household limit
• If someone is in your Christmas bubble, you can visit each other’s homes and stay overnight, including in private rented accommodation. You can also go to a place of worship together, or meet in public outdoor spaces. You cannot meet your Christmas bubble in any other indoor setting, such as a pub, hotel, shop, theatre, or restaurant.
• You may form a different Christmas bubble from the people you live with normally. If you and the people you are living with want to be in different Christmas bubbles, you can choose to stay somewhere else with different people for this period and form a Christmas bubble with that household and one other household (this will count as three households) – guidance here
• The guidance notes that “forming a bubble if you are vulnerable or clinically extremely vulnerable carries additional risks – see advice for clinically vulnerable people”

Previous Policy and Governance Updates:

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 11 December 20

---