The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact/requires action from member charities, with links to further information where applicable.
Our latest update can be found below and previous updates are listed at the end of the page.
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- Voluntary and Community Frontline Sector (VCFS) Support Grant – Members may be interested in applying for the VCFS Support Grant which looks to help tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
There are a number of objectives which the scheme looks to achieve and should prove useful for almshouses who help to prevent homelessness while also working with partners across the communities they serve.
The prospectus for the grant can be found here.
Energy and Environment
- Government announces £288m Green Heat Network Fund – Public, private and third-sector applicants in England can bid for a share of the Green Heat Network Fund. Unlike gas boilers where heat is generated in individual homes, heat networks see heat generated at a single central source and then distributed to multiple buildings via pipes.
This fund may prove a useful opportunity for members who are looking to heat multiple homes in a more sustainable way. However, guidance suggests that this might be a more appropriate fund for those that have already made some progress towards creating a network or expanding an existing one. Further funds for this will be made available until at least December 2024.
More information can be found here.
CORONAVIRUS
- The Almshouse Association continues to monitor developments with coronavirus and will provide further updates when necessary. As of Thursday February 24th, all remaining Covid-19 restrictions have largely been removed.
- It is still recommended that you isolate at home if you test positive.
- Government guidance can be found by clicking on the links below:
RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:
Posted 7 March 21
The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact/requires action from member charities, with links to further information where applicable.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
- Government announces £67 million to install insulation and clean heating – The Government has announced £67m as part of its Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme which will be distributed to local authorities. This first instalment of the scheme will focus on improving 4,300 low-income, off-gas grid households who are reliant on bottled gas and oil to heat their homes.
The grants will pay for energy efficiency measures such as wall and roof insulation, as well as new low-carbon heating systems, thermostats and room heating controls.
We know that some members will be managing properties of this nature and would benefit from support in improving the energy efficiency of these dwellings to save on energy bills and to provide more comfortable homes for residents. Currently, the fund has been allocated to certain local authorities, including:
- Blackpool Council
- Bristol Council
- Ealing London Borough
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Portsmouth City Council
- Sedgemoor Council
- Tees Valley Combined Authority
- Three Rivers District Council
- West of England Combined Authority
- York Council
- Castlepoint Central Bedfordshire
- Great Yarmouth
- Hartlepool
- Leicester City
- Plymouth Council
- Redbridge London Borough
- Sevenoaks Council
- Sheffield City Council
- South Derbyshire
- Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
- Warwick
If your charity operates in one of these local authorities, we suggest that you contact the council to discuss whether you may be able to receive support from the HUG scheme. Further information can be found here.
- Government Support for Electric Vehicle Charging Points – The Almshouse Association has held discussions with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) regarding a scheme to support the installation of Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging points.
The Department currently offers the Workplace Charging Scheme which contributes £350 per socket towards the installation of EV charging points for charities. Previously this could only be used for installing sockets for staff, but following our discussions, it would be acceptable to use this grant towards installation of sockets for residents. Guidance on the scheme can be found here.
CORONAVIRUS
The Almshouse Association continues to monitor developments with Coronavirus and will provide further updates when necessary. As of Thursday February 24th, all remaining Covid restrictions have largely been removed. It is still recommended that you isolate at home if you test positive. Government guidance can be found by clicking on the links below:
RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:
Posted 28 February 2022
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the remaining Coronavirus restrictions will be removed from law starting on February 24th 2022.
Changes include:
- Legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive covid-19 test will end.
- Self-isolation support payments will also end, although confirmed that SSP covid provisions could be claimed for a further month.
- Signalled the end of routine contact tracing and Government would no longer ask vaccinated close contacts and under 18s to test daily for 7 days.
- Legal requirement to self-isolate will end for close contacts not fully vaccinated.
- Until 1 April the Government will still advise people testing positive to stay at home, but following this date would encourage those with covid-19 symptoms to exercise personal responsibility.
- From 1 April, free symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public will end. However, free symptomatic tests would continue to be available for the most vulnerable and oldest age groups.
- From 1 April, Government will no longer recommend the use of voluntary covid status certification.
- Confirmation that all remaining 20 temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act would expire.
The Prime Minister also announced that the Government had accepted JCVI advice for a spring booster to those most vulnerable to covid to protect against potential resurgence.
These changes only apply to England.
Posted 22 Feb 22
The Almshouse Association regularly 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.
Energy and Environment
- Energy Crisis Support – The Government has outlined support which will be offered to help offset the steep rise in energy bills. This support comes after Ofgem announced that the cap on energy tariffs will rise by 54% to just under £2,000 a year on average.
These steps include:- All households will be receiving £200 off their energy bills through a government loan to energy companies. This will be applied to domestic electricity customers from October 2022
- Properties in council tax bands A-D will receive a £150 refund in April 2022. Those who pay by direct debit will receive £150 into their bank accounts. Local authorities will also have access to £144m in discretionary funding to assist vulnerable people, individuals on low incomes or those in council tax bands E-H.
- Eligibility of the warm home discount scheme will be expanded with an additional £10 increase from October 2022 to £150. Those on certain means-tested benefits should qualify for the discount, but you should speak to your energy supplier about this
It is worth remembering that the final cost of energy bills is still calculated on your usage and so it is important to consider where energy efficiency measures could be introduced to help prevent costly bills. Details on the Government’s announcement can be found here.
Coronavirus
The Almshouse Association continues to monitor developments and changes to legislation with regards to Coronavirus and will provide further updates when applicable.
The latest Government guidance can be found here:
England
Wales
Scotland
RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:
posted 7 February 22
The Almshouse Association regularly 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 latest summary:
Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Government to review staff training and qualifications in social housing – As part of its drive to improve standards within social housing the government has announced a review of training and qualifications for staff working in the sector. The Social Housing White Paper Professionalisation Review will explore the qualifications currently available for staff, with landlords, residents and trade bodies putting forward recommendations to the government. It will also consider if additional training is required to improve the service to residents.
Members who are registered providers of social housing may wish to make a submission to the working group of the review on the potential impact this could have on their work.
More information can be found here. Those wishing to respond can make a submission to Professionalisation.Review@communities.gov.uk.
Miscellaneous
Royal Horticultural Society offers grant for community gardens
To celebrate RHS Garden Day 2022, they will be gifting a new garden to one community in each of the UK’s four home nations. Working in partnership with leading garden designers, each garden will be worth up to £50,000, and an opportunity for your group to help us create an inclusive and welcoming green space for everyone within your community to access and enjoy.
Members wishing to apply must do so by February 6th 2022. Details can be found here.
Wales
Move to Alert Level 0 – As of January 28th, Wales has moved back to alert level 0 which means:
- Nightclubs have re-opened
- Businesses, employers and other organisations must continue to undertake a specific coronavirus risk assessment and take reasonable measures to minimise the spread of coronavirus
- The general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces has been removed
- The rule of 6 no longer applies to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres
- Licensed premises no longer need to only provide table service and collect contact details
- Working from home will remain part of advice from the Welsh Government but it will no longer be a legal requirement
The Covid Pass will continue to be required to enter larger indoor events, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates:
posted 31 Jan 22
The Almshouse Association has commissioned The Smith Institute to carry out a research project looking into how almshouse charities functioned during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some members may have or may soon receive invitations to participate in interviews as part of this project. Should you receive a request from The Smith Institute, please rest assure that this is a legitimate request as part of this important piece of research.
If you have any queries regarding our research, please get in touch with Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org .
Posted 13 Jan 21
The Prime Minister has announced the withdrawal of Plan B Coronavirus restrictions in England over the next week.
This means:
- Working from home: The Government is no longer asking people to work from home, unless they are self-isolating.
People should now talk to their employers to agree arrangements to return to the office. - From 27 January 22: There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering.
The Government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet. - From 27 January 22: Venues and events will no longer be required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID Pass.
The NHS COVID Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis.
Government guidance for Wales and Scotland can be found by clicking in the links below:
Posted 20 Jan 2022
The Government has announced that from Monday 17th January 2022, anyone with coronavirus can end their isolation after 5 full days as long as they test negative on days 5 and 6.
Under the new rules, those who test positive can leave isolation after two consecutive negative lateral flow tests taken 24 hours apart. Should you not receive a negative test of day 5 and 6 you can continue to test until you get two consecutive negative tests or until you have isolated for 10 days, whichever occurs first. For example, if you test negative on days 6 and 7 you can leave isolation. More information can be found here.
Posted 17 January 22
The Almshouse Association regularly 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 latest summary:
Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- New building safety measures announced – The government has announced a new £4bn fund for 11-18m buildings to cover the costs of remediating unsafe cladding. The fund will be made up of contributions from developers. More information can be found here.
- Commencement of the Fire Safety Act – The Secretary of State confirmed that the Fire Safety Act will commence shortly. When the act comes into force, it will extend fire safety responsibilities to cover all external walls and common parts, including doors to individual flats, in any multi-occupied building regardless of height.
Wales
- Moving to alert level zero – The Welsh Government has announced the steps it will take to remove restricts put in place in response to the rise of the omicron variant of coronavirus. Measures include the removal of restrictions on outdoor activities. More information can be found here.
Coronavirus
- Changes to isolation period in England – From Monday 17th January people with coronavirus can end their isolation after 5 full days as long as they test negative on days 5 and 6.
- Under the new rules, those who test positive can leave isolation after two consecutive negative lateral flow tests taken 24 hours apart. Should you not receive a negative test of day 5 and 6 you can continue to test until you get two consecutive negative tests or until you have isolated for 10 days, whichever occurs first. For example, if you test negative on days 6 and 7 you can leave isolation. More information can be found here.
RECORD OF 2021 Policy and Governance updates:
Posted 17 Jan 22
The Association is seeking members’ views (Registered Providers and interested non Registered Providers) on a Government Consultation on the introduction of Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) for Registered Providers.
The aim of these measures is to:
“give tenants meaningful information about their landlord and help the regulator ensure that landlords meet the new consumer standards.”
Full information on the consultation can be found here.
Members will note that the document references “landlords” and “tenants” throughout, but the Regulator is well aware of the unique status of almshouses and uses these terms as a catch-all. We are keen to see what elements of the proposed changes may be suitable for almshouse charities to adopt as best practice, without infringing on the almshouse model itself.
So that we can develop a response which represents the view of the membership we would welcome input from all our members, this will affect Registered Providers, but we welcome views from non-Registered Providers on this issue. It is important to consider:
- Do you agree with the suggested changes and why?
- What impact would these changes have if implemented?
- How would the changes impact the unique status of almshouses?
To help you we have created a briefing which summarises the main points of the consultation.
We would ask for any contributions to be made by February 1st 2022 to jackbaldan@almshouses.org so that we can complete our submission and allow time for members to scrutinise it. Thank you for you time and contributions.
Posted 10th January 2022