Latest News | The Almshouse Association

Association to host webinar on Coming Home Housing Report

The Almshouse Association will be hosting a webinar on April 22^nd at 10am, with representatives of the almshouse movement and the Church of England, to explore the recent Coming Home Report from the The Commission of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on Housing, Church and Community.

Speakers include:

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association
Bishop Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington
Michael Siggs, Clerk to the St Mary Magdalen Hospital Charity
Revd Jeremy Fraser, Mission and Development Advisor to the Bishop of Barking
Nick Pollock, Archbishops’ Housing Commission – Executive Team Lead

The Report marks the most significant public support for the almshouse model in recent times and gives new impetus to our mission of seeing many more new almshouse dwellings by 2030.

Bringing together these representatives we will have an open discussion on the opportunities and difficulties of realising our ambition. Opening comments from our speakers will be followed by a Q&A session.

If you would like to take part then please register here.

If you have any questions you would like to ask as part of the Q&A, please email Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org.

Posted 8 April 21

Government to end Green Homes Grant

The Government has announced that the final day for applications to the Green Homes Grant will be March 31^st 2021.

Any members who have secured funding through this route will still have their vouchers honoured but no new requests will be accepted after March 31^st.

The Almshouse Association is disappointed by the Government’s decision in this case as the grant represented a great opportunity for our members to do the right thing by becoming more eco-friendly. The sudden removal of the scheme means that a number of members will now struggle to find support for green initiatives which would help their residents. We hope that almshouse charities will be able to access the additional funding designated to Local Authorities.

The Government must produce an effective, long-term fund which can help those both within the almshouse movement and beyond.

Posted 30 Mar 21

Policy and Governance update: April 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 Mar/Apr 21 Summary.

Property and Planning

Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises consultation -DCMS has published a consultation – closing 11 June – on improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises in the UK. Through this call for evidence, DCMS wants to hear views and experiences of consumers’ broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas of the UK. Members may wish to consider responding if they have difficulties accessing good quality broadband for work and for residents.

Health and Safety

Shielding – As of April 1^st, it will no long be necessary for clinically extremely vulnerable people in England to shield.

Taxation and Finance

Budget 2021 – The Chancellor made a number of announcements as part of this year’s Budget. Most notable for almshouse charities will be the extension of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit payments which will last until September. Eligible Working Tax Credit claimants will also receive a one-off payment of £500.
National Minimum Wage – The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage will increase from April 1^st, with the National Living Wage being extended to 23 and 24 year olds for the first time. The NLW will now be £8.91.

Coronavirus

You can find all our Coronavirus updates here

30 March 21

APPG report on loneliness: Association comments

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

Webinar recording: Working practices in almshouse charities

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.

Webinar Recording: Working Practices in almshouse charities – click here

Powerpoint Slides: Working Practices in almshouse charities – click here

Posted 23 March 21

Government guidance on pets

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

Policy & Governance update – March 2021

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

Posted 8 Mar 21

CEO guest speaker at webinar event

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

Click here to register

Posted 2 Mar 21

Webinar Recording: Trustee Roles and Responsibilities

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

Association in Church Times

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