Dear Members

I just wanted to check in with you all again before the week is out, remember, if you need to run something by us or just need to talk, please pick up the phone or send us an email – we are here to help.

We hope that our news updates are proving to be of some assistance to you, but if you need more guidance in a particular area, please tell us.

I know it is an old cliché but these unprecedented times seem to bring out the best in people. Maybe I’m just not seeing it, but thankfully, for now at least, I am witnessing very little of the worst in people.

This is such a difficult time for everyone, and being responsible for an almshouse community, where some of the residents could be more vulnerable to this particular virus, can make this time incredibly stressful. Trustees and staff are working so hard in such challenging circumstances to keep everyone safe and well.

We know many of our residents are affected by this virus either directly or indirectly and sadly we know some have succumbed to the virus just as in the wider population. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, trustees and almshouse communities at this terribly sad time.

Through our communications over the last week or so, I am struck by the strong connections that exist, not just within the almshouses but in the wider villages and towns. These connections and relationships are proving to be such a valuable lifeline in both practical and emotional support. Amongst the almshouse movement we often talk about the fact that our almshouses are mostly for independent living; ‘independent living’ – we see it as a very personal, physical or mental state – but who are we kidding? Few of us are truly independent and at times like this we are seeing how much we depend on each other.

I am hearing so many cases of how almshouse communities are supporting each other and of the local communities supporting the almshouse residents and trustees – some for the first time; young students offering to shop and fetch prescriptions for almshouse residents; local volunteer groups putting themselves forward to help in a variety of ways too, in support of the dedicated efforts of trustees, clerks and wardens. We are currently collating examples of your good practice and practical solutions that are helping to make life a bit easier for members and will be sharing these on our website shortly – there are so many.

We clearly have a long way to go before we see normality (whatever that will look like) again but if there is any good to come from this period, let’s hope people remember how much pleasure and fulfilment they felt from helping their neighbours and our almshouse communities, and long may these strong relationships be a legacy of this dreadful virus.

I will share a reflection of the independent living mentality of the almshouse world that I found thought-provoking. A member of the public I spoke to this week told me that the residents of an almshouse nearby had contacted him – putting a note through his door asking him that if he needed anything to let them know and they would find a way of helping – shopping, talking on the phone etc. Independent living maybe – but community living certainly!

Please share any good news with us as well – it means so much to us all to hear positive stories that raise the spirits and help put smiles on our faces.

Take care and stay safe. 

Nick Phillips
CEO|Almshouse Association

Posted 02 April 2020 12:21

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The Almshouse Association has continued to engage government during the Coronavirus pandemic to highlight the issues impacting the almshouse movement.

This week The Almshouse Association has contacted levels of government to address a number of issues:

• Essential workers – we have requested clarity as to who qualifies for ‘essential worker’ status.  A request has been made for almshouse employees to be considered as ‘essential workers’.

• We have made an appeal for almshouse inclusion in any government support for landlords – whilst Government has made clear a desire to support landlords and tenants  financially through this crisis, it is not been clear who will be entitled to support or how they will be supported.  Clarity has been requested and a case has been put forward for almshouses to be considered within the support package if requested.

• Universal Credit – Some of our member charities have received advice from DWP local offices detailing that charities are unable to provide financial assistance to residents below state pension age without impacting Universal Credit payments. This differs from the guidance issued 2013 (subsection 51413-51416). The Association is appealing for clarity from DWP to allow charities, who are able and wish to, to provide immediate cash support to their residents in need without this counting as an income against Universal Credit.

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Posted 30 Mar 2020 ; updated 2 April 20

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Covid-19 – Mar 20 Summary

Many important Government measures have been announced and implemented with respect to the Covid-19 pandemic. Those that impact almshouse charities have been included in the Almshouse Association Coronavirus News pages

• Support for individuals and businesses: The government has announced a number of measures designed to support individuals and businesses through the Coronavirus Pandemic. Full information can be found here. Notable measures include:
  • Increasing the standard allowance for Universal Credit for 12 months by £1,000 and will increase working tax credit basic element by the same amount. For the self-employed, the Government will suspend the minimum income floor for anyone affected by Covid-19. Self-employed people will be able to access Universal Credit at a rate equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay for employees.
  • The Government has increased housing benefit and universal credit so that the local housing allowance covers at least 30% of market rents in an area.
  • The Government has announced that the self-employed will receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least 3 months. This will be calculated by 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years.
  • Employers will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP as a result of COVID-19.

• The Regulator of Social Housing is running a blog on the Coronavirus Pandemic. This is is maintained and updated with the latest information for registered providers of social housing. A letter was also sent to all registered providers detailing the expectations of registered providers at this time. Any registered providers who did not receive or need to replace the letter can find it here.

Housing – March 20 Summary

• Risk of non-compliance before new Rent Standard:  The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published an addendum to its Sector Risk Profile 2019 that identifies the areas that are most likely to increase the risk of non-compliance with rent and data quality requirements.
• The Regulator of Social Housing has warned registered providers and local authorities about a range of circumstances which make non-compliance with rent requirements more likely to happen, in advance of the new Rent Standard coming into force on 1 April 2020.

Charities and Charity Law – March 20 Summary

• Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 review: DCMS has published a review of the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016, which aimed to:
  • Provide new and strengthened powers for the Charity Commission
  • Extend the criteria for automatic disqualification from charity trusteeship and apply disqualification to senior management positions
  • Strengthen the transparency and accountability of charity fundraising
  • Give charity trustees an explicit legal power to make social investments.

The review recommends that the legislation be renewed.

Previous Policy and Governance Updates:
Click here for Policy and Governance – Feb 2020 Summary
Click here for Policy and Governance –Jan 2020 Summary
Click here for Policy and Governance 2019 Summary

Posted 1 April 2020

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Dear Member

Following the measures announced by the government on 16 March 2020 to prevent the further spread of Covid-19, the Almshouse Association team will be working remotely.

We hope to maintain our usual support during this time but, if there is a high number of enquiries, you could experience a slight delay in getting through to us. Our phone lines will be open from 9:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Monday to Friday. Where possible, we ask if you could please contact us by email at admin@almshouses.org in the first instance.

We thank you for your patience over this period and please rest assured that we will continue to support you, our members, in any way possible.  

Posted 18 Mar 2020

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Housing – Feb 20 Summary

• Westminster Hall debate on Flats and Shared Housing – Fire Risk: Labour MP Matt Rodda (Reading East) held a debate in Westminster Hall on the fire risk in flats and shared housing, particularly focusing on cladding, fire doors, other fire safety measures and problems with flats under 11 meters tall. Participants were critical of the lack of urgency in improving fire safety measures following the Grenfell tragedy. The following additional MPs contributed to the debate: Clive Betts, David Linden, Esther McVey, Jim Shannon and Sarah Jones.

There is clear cross-party support for tighter regulations of housing in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower Disaster. While there has been a lot of debate around cladding on high-rise buildings in the last couple of years, this debate was focused around the fire safety measure on all buildings (fire doors, fire extinguishers, escape routes etc.) and it looks likely that all aspects of fire safety will be regulated tighter in the future.    

Property and Planning (including listed buildings) – Feb 20 Summary

• Aluminium composite material cladding: MHCLG has published information and advice for building owners, landlords and leaseholders where aluminium composite cladding is present on their building.

• BT Openreach accelerates full-fibre coverage: BT Openreach has announced that it will accelerate full-fibre build to 227 “harder to reach” market towns, villages & rural areas, with building to commence within the next 14 months. The portion of this build plan completed by March 2021 is within Openreach’s previously stated target to reach four million homes and businesses with “full fibre” technology by March 2021.

• Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission report: The Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission has published its report, titled Living with Beauty: Promoting health, well-being and sustainable growth. The report proposes a number of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to encourage quality design and the rejection of poor design. It also encourages local authorities to plan further into the future than the current 5-year supply and recommends reviewing the speed at which Local Plans can be put together. Additionally, it suggests that the method in which land is designated for development (the “call for sites” process) should be revised.

• Value of the heritage sector: New research published by Historic England on behalf of the Historic Environment Forum, shows the value of heritage to England’s economy. Heritage is an important sector which contributes to economic prosperity and growth through jobs in the heritage and construction sectors and from tourism. This new report has a focus on skills, examining the skills needs and gaps in the heritage sector.

• Social rent: Only 2.6% of the 131,000 homes set to be built on public land released by the government will be for social rent, according to the New Economics Foundation (NEF).

Adult social care and support for tenants – Feb 20 Summary

• Welsh Government: Independent report on accommodation for older people: The Welsh Government has published a report on accommodation for older people. The report assesses the housing and accommodation needs of older people up to 2035.

This report did not include the role of almshouses within the Welsh Governments assessment of the future of housing for elderly people within Wales. The Almshouse Association plans to contact the Welsh Government to discuss further the role that almshouses can play in Welsh housing policy.

• COVID-19 guidance: Public Health England has published guidance that provides advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Guidance for employers and businesses and for social or community care and residential settings, can be viewed via the links. See also Almshouse Association FAQs
• Care Quality Commission: The House of Commons Library has published a briefing on the statutory role and powers of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC is responsible for the registration, inspection and monitoring of health and adult social care providers, including independent providers, under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

• Universal Credit:
  • Delay in roll-out: The BBC has reported that full rollout of universal credit is being delayed again, adding £500m to its overall cost. Officials say not enough people are moving to the benefit as they are “scared” to move to universal credit. The system was meant to be fully live by April 2017, but the new delay will push it back to September 2024. The welfare delivery minister, Will Quince, said claimants would not lose money as a result of the change.
  • Call for evidence: The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee has published a call for evidence on the economics of Universal Credit. The inquiry will investigate:
    • the economic impacts of Universal Credit
    • whether Universal Credit is meeting its original objectives
    • whether the policy assumptions reflected in its design are appropriate for different groups of claimants
    • the extent to which Universal Credit meets the needs of claimants in today’s labour market and changing world of work.

• Joseph Roundtree Foundation UK Poverty Report 2019/20: The Joseph Roundtree Foundation has published its UK Poverty Report 2019/20. The report highlights the nature and scale of poverty across the UK and its affect, how poverty has changed in society, and overall changes to poverty, with chapters examining:
  • the impact of work
  • the social security system
  • housing
  • how carers and people with disabilities are affected by poverty.

• Loneliness and social work: The Department of Health and Social Care has published a report focussed on the evidence around the role of social workers in preventing and reducing loneliness and isolation.

• Mental Health: The Chartered Institute of Housing has launched a new guide to help housing organisations raise their game on mental health. The guide, developed with support from the mental health charity Mind, sets out six things we can all do to make everyone who works in housing more aware and supportive of other people’s mental health issues – and better supported to look after their own.

Environment and Energy – Feb 20 Summary

• Adapting heritage buildings: To meet the government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050, we must recycle, reuse and responsibly adapt our existing historic buildings, according to this year’s Heritage Counts report, by Historic England. 

• Air quality – using cleaner fuels for domestic burning: DEFRA has responded to its consultation on using cleaner fuels for domestic burning in relation to air quality. The Government has announced that it plans to introduce the following, one year from now:
  • a ban on all pre-packaged traditional bituminous house coal
  • a ban will apply on loose sales via coal merchants at a later date
  • wood sold in single units under 2m³ (loose stacked) must have a moisture content of 20% or less
  • a national requirement for certified controlled sulphur content and a smoke emission limit on manufactured solid fuels (currently applies in Smoke Control Areas).

Taxation – Feb 20 Summary

• VAT and retrofit: Historic England has called on the government to slash VAT on renovation in a bid to remove a major brake on retrofit work. Just weeks before new chancellor Rishi Sunak announces his 2020 budget, the government’s heritage watchdog and adviser has made a public demand for the tax on refurbishment, currently set at 20 per cent, to be reduced. The plea and follows a similar call from the RICS. Historic England announced the demand alongside the release of ‘game-changing’ new research into the embodied carbon of the nation’s existing built heritage.

Miscellaneous – Feb 20 Summary

Political update

• UK Cabinet reshuffle: Following a Government reshuffle, the Prime Minister has confirmed his ministerial appointments, which include a new Housing Minister. Simon Clarke (Minister of State) and Christopher Pincher (Minister for Housing) are the only new additions to MHCLG. Likewise, Helen Whately is the only new addition to the Department for Health and Social care – her responsibilities include adult social care. You can track all the appointments here.

Due to the size of the Conservative Party majority within the House of Commons it is likely that we will be in a period of relative political stability. As a result of this ministerial appointments are likely to change less frequently than in recent years.

Click here for Policy and Governance – Jan 2020 Summary

Click here for Policy and Governance 2019 Summary

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The inaugural meeting of the London Almshouse Group, held on 6^th February 2020, at The Charity of Elizabeth Jane Jones and David Henry Waring Home was well attended and enjoyed by all.

CEO Nick Philips gave an update on the work of the Almshouse Association highlighting the below:

• Proactive awareness-raising campaign on the value of almshouses.
• Work undertaken with ministers in recognising almshouses.
• New systems at Billingbear to improve service to members.
• Flagging up the issue of almshouses not being recognised as valid recipients of section 106 funds from local councils and in many cases members having 106 levy placed on their own developments.
• Confirmation from the Charity Commission that the legal definition of almshouses had been approved in principle and referenced for internal use but it was yet to be announced or updated in their guidance.  The date for updating the guidance has not been given.
• Members who had engaged in the annual survey were thanked.

The other items discussed were:

• Managing residents with dementia/memory loss. 
• Setting weekly maintenance contribution.
• Equalities Act – landlords are required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate residents that have disability needs. 

The Almshouse Association’s involvement in organising the LAG meeting was a one-off to kick start the group.  The meeting agreed that LAG should continue, meet quarterly and that there should be annual rotating responsibility for co-ordinating, administrating and organising future meetings. Deborah Prescott, from Lygon Almshouses, has very kindly volunteered for the first year. 

Keep an eye out for the date of the next meeting date which will be posted here

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Almshouse Association invites HRH The Prince of Wales to visit Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouses in Bedworth.

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales will be visiting the Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouses in Bedworth, Warwickshire on Tuesday 18^th February 2020.

HRH, who has been a dedicated Royal Patron of the Almshouse Association since 1992, is particularly interested in seeing the almshouse gardens and learning about the individual stories of the almshouse residents and their connection to the local community. He will also be planting a memorial tree to commemorate the day.

He follows in the footsteps of Edward, The Prince of Wales who visited the almshouses on 10^th July 1943 and the Almshouse Association Vice Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester who visited in 1988.

Chair of the Nicholas Chamberlaine’s  Almshouses, Cllr. John Haynes will present HRH to Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Timothy Cox and his wife Penny, Almshouse Association Chair, Liz Fathi, CEO Nick Phillips and Head of Member Services Rosie Sweeney.

Phillips said “Almshouses are in the process of a revival programme with the movement is experiencing the biggest spike in development of charity run housing since the Victorian era. The Almshouse Association is honoured to be able to put forward one of our member charities to receive a visit from our Royal Patron. HRH has great understanding of the value of almshouse charities to local communities and the quality of the life for residents is always at the forefront of his concern”.

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[Feature Photo: HRH Prince of Wales is presented to Nick Phillips, CEO of Almshouse Association at Thomas Parsons Charity almshouses in Ely Nov 18]

Posted 10 Feb 2020

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