18.11.21 – APPG on Almshouses Meeting

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Almshouses will be holding a session to discuss the research on the significant financial benefits provided by the almshouse movement on November 18^th 2021, 3-4pm.

The session will see a discussion on the findings of the report and what they mean for the future provision of almshouses across the country. Speakers include:

Nick Phillips – Chief Executive | The Almshouse Association
Jeremy Porteus – Chief Executive | Housing LIN

If you would like to register for this virtual meeting, please click on the registration button below:

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org

Posted 2 November 21

Pass it on – Remember a Charity

Almshouses have played an important role in social housing for over a thousand years.

They are the result of a bequest and of social activism, with the original benefactors keen to support those in housing need and poverty – in perpetuity.

“One of the earliest forms of bequest, almshouses are as relevant today as they have been throughout the ages, but who will be the next generation of philanthropists?”
Dan Cruikshank, British art historian, BBC television presenter and Almshouse Association Ambassador

Almshouse charities today are pivotal within local communities and continue to support generation after generation of local people in housing need, so it has been fitting that during our 75th year, The Almshouse Association has been having conversations about the benefits of almshouses and just how important legacies are to us and to our member charities.

Please click here to read the article on almshouses featured in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday 30th October 21 as part the nationwide ‘Remember a Charity’ campaign.

Our plan to support our members to build thousands of new almshouses in the next 10 years across the country is achievable – with your help. We are seeing the almshouse movement getting more attention in The House of Lords, The House of Commons, the Church of England’s ‘Coming Home’ report on tackling the housing crisis, and highlighted in a number of recent White Papers on Social Housing. These are exciting times! But we need to do more!

Leave a legacy – support generation after generation – in perpetuity

Across the country many of our member charities are looking to do more too. They want to build, refurbish and improve their almshouses. The almshouse movement is growing and becoming a significant part of the response to the affordable housing crisis across the country with 36,000 people living in almshouses today.

We have joined forces with ‘Remember a Charity’ who are actively working to encourage more people to leave a gift in their will. They give advice on will writing and we are proud to be one of the 200+ charities they are working with to ‘act today to make a difference tomorrow’.

Thinking about leaving a legacy and want to talk about it?
Click to leave you contact details and we will call you directly

Posted 4 November 21

Policy & Governance update: 01.11.21

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

Housing Ombudsman Strategy Consultation – The Housing Ombudsman has opened a consultation on its strategy for the upcoming three years. With impending legislation strengthening the role of the ombudsman this consultation presents members with an opportunity to feed into what it should prioritize.

Members of the ombudsman can find the consultation here. It is due to close on November 12th 2021.

£65m support package announced for vulnerable renters – DLUHC has announced a £65m fund to support vulnerable renters over the winter months. The fund will be distributed to local councils to help prevent homelessness and support families to get back on their feet after the pandemic.

Members may wish to get in touch with their local council if they feel there are residents who would benefit from this fund. Local councils have flexibility to decide what this the most effective way to make use of this funding, however 50% must go towards households with children. The funding would be paid directly to the charity. More information can be found here.

The Budget 2021

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced this year’s budget with a number of housing announces included this year. These include:

£1.8bn for 180,000 new homes through land regeneration
£640m per year to be spent on the Government’s commitment to end rough sleeping
£5bn for remediation of the highest risk buildings wish unsafe cladding
Taper rate for Universal Credit to be reduced from 63% to 55% meaning claimants keep more of their money earned through work
The ‘freeze’ in local housing allowance will remain in place for another 12 months at least

Energy and Environment

Heat and Building Strategy – The government has announced its long-awaited Heat and Building Strategy. The strategy outlines the government’s plans to reach net zero by 2050. This includes:
- Funding from April 2022 for heat pumps through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Phasing out new natural gas boilers from 2035
- Investment into projects on the potential use of hydrogen in the heat network

The Association will shortly publish a breakdown of the key takeaways for our members. The full strategy can be found here.

Posted 1 November 21

Its Trustee Week!

A BIG THANK YOU!

Its Trustees’ week and we want to send a heartfelt thank you to all our amazing members for the passion and dedication you give to your almshouses and your residents.

You are the silent heroes of the almshouse movement and we are inspired on a daily basis by the commitment and energy you give, year in and year out, to enable local people in your communities to live in warm, safe homes.

Visit here for more information on Trustees Week

Posted 1 November 21

Almshouse Association Christmas Fund

Christmas Fund now open!

Christmas is once again almost upon us and we are very happy to be able to announce that requests for Christmas vouchers for almshouse residents are now being taken.

As many of you are aware, every year at the bequest of a late benefactor, The Almshouse Association is able to offer Christmas vouchers to almshouse residents of member charities who are (or will be) 90 years old or older on the 25th December 2021.

Member charities will need to apply for Christmas vouchers by completing and sending in our Christmas Fund application form.

Please be aware that the closing date for applications is 12th November 2021 and because the fund is limited, vouchers will be issued on a first come, first served basis*.

*We politely request that if your charity is able to afford a small gift to your residents that you do not apply .

The Almshouse Association Christmas Fund derives its origin from a generous legacy left to the Association over 70 years ago by Major Allnatt, a successful businessman and philanthropist who worked closely with and supported our founding General Secretary, Leonard Hackett. It was important to Major Allnatt that his gift remained a secret until his death, many years ago now, but his legacy lives on in the form of a gift to every almshouse resident over 90 every Christmas.

Posted 20th October 2021

(Above photo: Member Services Officer Susan Brooks Christmas 2020 posting Christmas gifts)

Rising Energy Costs

The Almshouse Association Statement on Rising Energy Costs

Members of The Almshouse Association have been in touch to ask what support might be in place for charities who are facing significant increases in the cost of energy. Many are concerned about the impact this may have on WMCs and how this may affect residents.

Unfortunately, almshouses, and charities generally, do not benefit from any special rates when it comes to energy. We would normally advise members to switch providers for a cheaper deal, but currently it is extremely unlikely that switching would achieve a lower tariff.

The appropriate time to review costs is at your annual WMC uplift date.

The Association would currently advise that members evaluate the financial position, the current WMC and their residents’ ability to pay without hardship. This should help you decide. The guidance from various sources is that costs will remain high and may climb higher.

What are our options to balance the books?

These might include adjusting WMCs if there is capacity to do so without causing financial hardship, or potentially exploring using charity funds to subsidise the increase in the short term. Trustees should decide what is the most appropriate solution for their individual circumstances. It would be advisable to discuss your circumstances with your energy provider to see whether additional support may be available to the charity or residents.

The Association is looking to work with the Government to call for charities to receive safeguards from future price fluctuations.

Posted 18 October 21

Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21

Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Residential Notices Periods – Under the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Residential Tenancies and Notices) (Amendment and Suspension) (England) Regulations 2021, which come into force at the end of the month, with effect from 1 October 2021 all the extended Notice periods brought in by the emergency regulations are removed, and the pre-pandemic Notice periods are restored.

However, the Government has reserved the right for the Secretary of State to reimpose extended Notice Periods until 25 March 2022.

The Almshouse Association has advised its members to follow this guidance throughout the pandemic when considering Setting Aside an appointment. Members in England can now return to pre-pandemic procedures.

Charity Commission

Charity Fraud Awareness Week 2021 – The Charity Commission has announced that Charity Fraud Awareness Week 2021 will take place the week commencing 18 October 2021. The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of fraud and cybercrime affecting the sector and to create a safe space for charities and their supporters to talk about fraud and share good practice.

Wales

Six-month notice periods extended until end of 2021 – The Welsh government has announced that six-month notice periods will remain in place until at least the end of December as part of COVID-related protections.

This continues the situation of the last 18 months which the Almshouse Association has encouraged our Welsh members to follow as best practice.
Exemptions from the rule in instances of anti-social behaviour or domestic violence still remain in place. More information can be found here.

Posted 15 October 21

THE 2021 AWARDS

2021 ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES!

We are delighted to announce the opening of our 2021 Almshouse Association Awards!

* Has your charity completed a major refurbishment or new build project during 2021? *

* Did you introduce innovative technologies for the benefit of the residents and the futureproofing of your almshouses? *

* Or… have you initiated a gardening project for residents that has encouraged community spirit and alleviated isolation? *

If so, we want to hear from you and are very pleased to invite entries for…..

Please click here for details of our submission format, tips and design guidance, Patron’s Award design brief and information about previous award recipients.

Please send your submissions to admin@almshouses.org

The deadline for entries is Friday 14th January 2022

Inside Housing: Open alms: the almshouse charities building new homes

Inside Housing has recently published an indepth article on almshouses and how we are experiencing a groundswell of interest in almshouse development.

Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips was interviewed for the piece together with a number of other leading figures in the almshouse and building sectors, including Dr Alison Pooley and Anne Taylor, chief executive of Thorngate Churcher Trust.

“Almshouses: a few, often centuries-old homes dotted around the country. Blink and you might miss them. Or will you?

The numbers may be small: 30,000 almshouses across England and Wales provide low-cost housing for around 36,000 people who are mainly, but not exclusively, older. Yet in recent years, these charity-owned homes, the oldest dating from the 10th century, have been steadily growing in number.

Records are patchy, says Nick Phillips, chief executive of umbrella organisation The Almshouse Association, but he estimates that almshouse charities are today building between 700 and 800 new homes a year, up from just a few hundred annually 20 years ago. He wants to sustain that momentum. “We would like to support almshouses to build another 5,000 between now and 2030,” he says.

So what is behind the trend, how are today’s new almshouses taking shape – and being paid for – and are they offering something that other affordable housing providers do not?”

INSIGHT 13.10.21 BY CAROLINE THORPE

To read the article in full, please click here
To read Lord Richard Best’s Comment in Inside Housing, please click here

Posted 13 October 21

Mind the Gap! Supporting Mental Health Day

Mind the Gap! The Almshouse Association joins Hornby in supporting World Mental Health Day on the 10^th October 2021

The Almshouse Association has a special collaboration with Hornby. The launch of their new Almshouse Model, earlier in 2021, really highlights the increased awareness that no village, town or city landscape is complete without at almshouse! However small!

Hornby will be hosting a virtual event to raise awareness of mental health and the positive impact that hobbies have on supporting mental health. Click here to find out how you can get involved.

The Almshouse Association is delighted to be involved in this event. Our CEO, Nick Phillips, has recorded a short message highlighting the community spirit of almshouses and how they bring residents together to enjoy group activities that alleviate isolation and encourage hobbies that support mental health.

Click in the link below to view.

If you would like to share a story about your special hobby or have your own modelling set, please let us know! Send us your photos and a paragraph or two about the positive impact of your hobby and we will share it on our website and social media channels over the coming few weeks to encourage others to join in and start a hobby and reap the benefits.

We look forward to hearing from you!