The CEO of The Almshouse Association welcomes the recent report published by the APPG on Loneliness.
“From our research and that of others it is clear that everyone needs a warm and safe home, but more than that they need a friend and something to do that engenders pride. Almshouses are a 1,000 year old housing model that takes neighbourliness to its heart.”
Nick Phillips, CEO The Almshouse Association
It seems from both this recent independent review and other reports that we have come to recognise loneliness as a debilitating factor. It is this aspect that was highlighted in the almshouse study undertaken by the Whiteley Foundation for Ageing Well that suggested that small scale communities can help people live longer. It seems that the forefathers of today’s almshouse movement had this in mind and although an ancient model of housing its strength is often put down to the fact that the design and spirit of almshouses encourages, promotes and enhances neighbourliness.
The almshouse movement provides homes to over 36,000 people, but more are needed as there are not enough to satisfy the high demand not just for low cost homes in the community but for the added value of small scale community run housing.
Nick Phillips goes on to say “Almshouses are built with compassion and supported with companionship. Whilst they can be considered as a small provider in the UK’s housing world that are available specifically to those in housing need, they make a vital contribution to the affordable housing stock in Britain and it is heart-warming to hear the great bonds of friendships that develop around the courtyards and gardens of Britain’s almshouses. We are working hard to ensure that more almshouses continue to be provided for those in housing need”.
Posted 25 March 21
90 members logged in for an Almshouse Association webinar on 23rd March 21 with Ros Hammond, Director and Founder of Employment Law in Action employment issues faced by almshouse charities.
The webinar covered:
- considerations for engaging employed vs self-employed individuals
- the challenges in respect of working hours and ‘on call arrangements’
- how to review salaries in accordance with your structure and market value.
If you were not able to attend or would like to recap on all the topics, please click in the buttons below to view a recording and powerpoint slides of the webinar.
Posted 23 March 21
Almshouse Association Response to New Government Guidance on Pets
The Government recently announced a new template tenancy agreement which can be use by landlords in the private rented sector.
The new template states that private landlords cannot have a blanket ‘no pets’ policy and that they must consider allowing well behaved pets. This guidance is not applicable to almshouses as they make use of licences, not tenancy agreements, however, following discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, we have received confirmation that it is expected that almshouses would follow the spirit of the guidance and consider allowing pets on a case-by-case basis.
NOTE: It is not a requirement to allow pets in all circumstances, such as the property not being appropriate for pets, but this decision should be fair and justified.
As part of this process, members may wish to consider:
- Whether your almshouse dwellings could practically accommodate a pet
- The benefits which allowing a pet may bring to residents, this could be achieved by consulting with residents for their opinions
- If necessary, updating your Letter of Appointment and Resident Handbooks to include clear guidance on pets
- If your charity does choose to allow residents to keep pets, we would recommend having a policy in place which requires residents to have plans in place (e.g. a named contact person) should they no longer be able to look after their animals themselves.
Posted 23 March 2021
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 Feb/Mar 21 Summary.
Charity Commission
Five-minute guides for charity trustees – The Charity Commission has published a series of five-minute guides with some basic guidance for trustees. Members may wish to refresh their understanding or distribute to new trustees:
Adult Social Care
Free PPE for unpaid carers – The Department for Health and Social Care has announced that, following a successful pilot scheme to establish the distribution method and logistics, free PPE is now being made available to “extra-resident” unpaid carers who need it. Beneficiaries who receive care from family members or similar may be eligible.
Energy and Environment
Energy price cap to increase in April – Ofgem has announced that, that from 1 April 2021, the price cap will return to pre-pandemic levels, principally as a result of changes in wholesale energy prices. Ofgem also notes that support is available for those struggling to pay their energy bills, especially those in vulnerable circumstances. It also states that consumers who want to avoid the increase and save money should shop around ahead of the increase in the price cap on 1 April.
Taxation
Submission of charity accounts – More than 13,000 charities missed the deadline to submit their financial documents in January, according to the Charity Commission. This is more than double the number which missed the deadline last year, when around 6,000 were late filing. Charities with financial years ending on 31 March – a large chunk of the sector – needed to file their accounts and annual return with the Commission by 31 January. The regulator received accounts on time from 35,689 charities. It will be following up with the 13,093 charities that have not met the deadline. Members should reach out to The Almshouse Association if they are in need of support.
Coronavirus
You can find all our Coronavirus updates here
Previous Policy and Governance updates:
Policy & Governance update – February 2021 Summary
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 8 Mar 21
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
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;
Posted 2 March 2021
The Almshouse Association welcomes the inclusion of comments in Church Times from CEO Nick Phillips following the publication of the Church of England’s Coming Home report.
The report marks the most significant public support for almshouses in many years and should be viewed as a call to action for the Church and the wider almshouse movement. We believe that, used effectively, the relationship between the Church and the almshouse movement can lead to a new era of almshouses throughout the country.
You can read the full article here
Posted 1 March 21
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
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
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