We are delighted to share that two exceptional volunteers have recently joined our property support team.

As listed and older buildings become increasingly costly to manage, yet remain vital to the communities they serve, we are especially fortunate to have the support of two highly experienced property volunteers.

• David Wilson MRICS, Chartered Institute of Building (among many other qualifications), brings extensive experience in estate and building management.
• Stuart Holland FRICS, Expert Witness, Building Surveyor and Project Manager, adds significant professional expertise in heritage and complex building issues. Stuart is a member of the Association Board and has been a trustee of almshouses in Harrogate for many years.

This is a tremendous boost to the technical strength of our team. If you are facing building-related challenges, particularly those unique to heritage properties, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

To contact David and Stuart, please email Propertyanddevelopment@almshouses.org. Our Member Services team will ensure your enquiry is passed on promptly.

posted 17 December 2025, reposted 20 April 2026

April 2026: A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news that almshouse charities need to be aware of.

1. Renters’ Rights Act – Implementation update

The Government has published further detail on implementing the Renters’ Rights Act, including its application within the social housing sector, with changes expected from 1 May 2026.

Whilst almshouses are let under licence rather than tenancy and almshouse charities are not, therefore, currently required to comply with the act, the reforms signal a broader policy direction towards strengthening residents’ rights and protections, of which almshouse charities should remain mindful.

Members may wish to:

• Review the published guidance to understand the wider policy context
• Consider how evolving expectations of good practice may apply to almshouse settings
• Monitor further clarification on how specific provisions may interact with licence-based occupation

The Association will continue to assess the implications for almshouse charities and provide updates as further details arrive.

2. Voter registration and proxy voting

The Government has published updated guidance on registering to vote and applying for a proxy vote, including specific provisions for individuals who may require support due to disability.

This may be of interest to members in supporting residents to participate in elections, particularly where individuals may face barriers to attending polling stations in person.

Trustees, clerks and scheme managers may wish to:

• Ensure residents are aware of how to register to vote and relevant deadlines
• Highlight the option of appointing a proxy where appropriate
• Provide practical support or signposting for residents who may need assistance with the process

3. Ofgem Heat Network Digital Service

Ofgem is launching a new digital service by 20 April 2026, and is encouraging heat network operators and suppliers to register early.

This development reflects the continued expansion of regulatory oversight in the heat networks sector. For members, this may be relevant where almshouses are connected to, or operate, communal or district heating systems.

Members should consider:

• Whether their scheme falls within scope of heat network regulation
• The need to register or engage with the new Ofgem digital platform
• Ensuring that relevant operational and compliance information is up to date

Early engagement is encouraged to support a smooth transition to the new system.

lmshouses and provide updates as further detail emerges.

4. Companies House and HMRC filing changes

As a reminder, Companies House and HM Revenue and Customs have now closed their joint online filing service as of 31 March 2026. Now, companies are required to file their annual accounts and tax returns separately.

Annual accounts can be filed with Companies House via:

• Third-party software
• Companies House web services
• Paper filing

Members whose almshouse charities are also registered providers should:

• Review and update their filing processes
• Ensure responsibilities are clearly allocated between trustees, staff, and any external advisors
• Confirm that deadlines for both Companies House and HMRC submissions are being met independently

This change represents a shift in administrative requirements and may require adjustments to existing governance and reporting processes.

posted 16 April 2026

FAO: Registered Providers and those that have registered with the Housing Ombudsman voluntarily to assist with the completion of annual submissions.

Please see below update from the Housing Ombudsman

We have just updated the Housing Ombudsman page on our website to support members with the Housing Ombudsman Annual Submission for 2025–26.

The Almshouse Association has received a comprehensive Annual Submission Toolkit directly from the Housing Ombudsman’s Office. This resource is designed to help members complete their annual submission accurately and with confidence.

The Toolkit is intended for:

• Almshouse charities that are Registered Providers, and
• Members that have voluntarily registered with the Housing Ombudsman, to support good practice and compliance.

The toolkit is made up of a series of practical documents, including:

• Housing Ombudsman Toolkit for Annual Submissions 2025–26
• Attachment A: Complaints Policy (Housing Ombudsman members only)
• Attachment B: Partially completed Self-Assessment Form
• Attachment C: Examples of complaints performance reports and governing body statements
• Leaflet: Member Responsible for the Complaints Procedure
• Self-Assessment Form for 2025–26 (for completion)

Each document can be downloaded individually from here

We strongly encourage all relevant members to review the Toolkit early to ensure they are prepared for the 2025–26 submission requirements. If you have questions or need further support, please contact the Member Services team.

See also Housing Ombudsman webinar:

• Housing Ombudsman Annual Submissions – November 2025
  • webinar recording
  • webinar questions and answers

March 26

MARCH 2026: A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news.

1. New Homelessness Grant

The Government has recently published its new Homelessness Strategy, accompanied by a £50 million investment package to support councils and organisations working to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. The funding is intended to target those people and places facing the greatest pressures.

The investment will be delivered through two principal programmes. Of the total, £37 million has been allocated to the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund. This fund will support projects, staffing and capital improvements aimed at expanding sector capacity, strengthening community networks, and developing long-term, trauma-informed approaches to ending rough sleeping.

Two of the three programme objectives may be of particular relevance to members:

Objective 1: Community-Based Support

This objective focuses on prevention and early intervention. The Government is particularly interested in initiatives that:

• Strengthen community-led networks and referral pathways to prevent people from entering or returning to rough sleeping
• Facilitate and enhance volunteer-led support offers
• Provide early support to prevent individuals reaching crisis point
• Deliver single-unit accommodation that meets a clearly defined local need

Objective 3: Recovery

This objective seeks to improve support for individuals once they have moved into settled accommodation, with an emphasis on embedding support within the local community. The Government is looking for proposals that:

• Provide long-term support to help sustain tenancies, develop skills, and secure and maintain employment
• Deliver mentoring or befriending-style relational support that builds resilience, social networks and a sense of belonging
• Establish peer support programmes and activities for individuals transitioning from rough sleeping into accommodation

Eligibility

To apply, organisations must be part of the voluntary, community or faith sector (VCFS), operate in England, and be established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes.

Eligible organisations include:

• Charitable companies limited by guarantee registered with Companies House and the Charity Commission (or exempt charities)
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) registered with the Charity Commission

Members who provide small-scale accommodation, volunteer-led support, or community-based tenancy sustainment work may wish to consider whether this fund aligns with their charitable activities and local partnerships.

If helpful, we can provide further information or discuss potential opportunities.

2. Supported Housing Guidance Update

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published statutory guidance for English councils on preparing and delivering local supported housing strategies under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 which may be of interest to members. The strategy sets out the overarching vision and direction for the Local Supported Housing Strategy undertaken by the various local authorities across the country.

3. Charity Commission Fundraising Guidance Update

Recently, the Charity Commission published a significantly revised version of its guidance on charity fundraising – ‘Charity fundraising: a guide to trustee duties (CC20)’. The Commission has also amended guidance on ‘Charity fundraising appeals for specific purposes’ and ‘Get funding to start a charity’.  Members can also refer to the Code of Fundraising Practice for more practical guidance on what is expected of your charity when fundraising.

Charities should:

1. Bring the new guidance to the attention of the trustees and schedule some time to discuss it at a trustee meeting;
2. Review their fundraising policies and procedures to consider whether any changes should be made;
3. Consider whether this might be a good time to do some training for trustees and fundraising staff, in light of this new guidance from the Charity Commission and the new Code of Fundraising Practice published last year.

4. Reminder: National Planning Policy Framework consultation deadline of 10 March 2026.

Our work to secure recognition of almshouses as affordable housing therefore continues. Please see our short video and our campaign here – The Association is asking Members to respond to the NPPF consultation and/or write to their MPs to support our campaign to have almshouses recognised as affordable in the National Planning Policy Framework. Thank you to everyone who has already contacted their MP – please do get in touch if you would like support or require follow up material to give to your MP.

The Heat Networks (Market Framework) Regulations 2025

We would like to draw members’ attention to a new guidance page on The Almshouse Association website regarding the Heat Networks (Market Framework) Regulations 2025.

These regulations introduce a new regulatory framework for heat networks, with implications for organisations that own or operate communal or district heating systems. The page outlines the key points of the legislation, what it may mean for almshouse charities, and links to further resources.

We encourage members to review the information and consider how the changes may affect their schemes.

You can read the full update that is listed in our FAQs page by clicking in the link below:

• www.almshouses.org/news/the-heat-networks-market-framework-regulations-2025/

If you have any questions or would like to share feedback, please do get in touch.

See also: Heat Networks – Are you prepared? – Free webinar – 26 Feb 2026|

posted 23 February 2026

FAO: Registered Providers and those that have registered with the Housing Ombudsman voluntarily to assist with the completion of annual submissions.

Please see below update from the Housing Ombudsman

New streamlined investigation process for low-risk cases From March 2026, we are trialling a new approach for simple, lower-risk complaint cases. We will review cases in advance to check if we have enough evidence to investigate, or if we need a small amount of additional information from you. Benefits of this approach: – faster resolution for residents and landlords clearer – more targeted evidence requests – full decision reports continue as normal – less paperwork for you If we need specific evidence, we will make this clear in our request. You will have the opportunity to submit any additional critical evidence relevant to your complaint. We will review the trial in May or June 2025. If you have questions about this change, please raise them at our March landlord forums. Read more about our investigation process

posted by 16 February 2026

Registered providers of social housing should be aware of new qualification requirements introduced under the Government’s Competence and Conduct Standard.

Almshouse charities that are Registered Providers must now be able to demonstrate that relevant employees are suitably qualified, with evidence provided to the Housing Ombudsman on request.

To support member in understanding who needs the qualification, we have launched a new bespoke guidance page with a practical toolkit of downloadable resources. The toolkit includes:

• A qualification assessment flowchart
• Assessment criteria based on the Qualifications Policy Document
• Example job descriptions for clerks and wardens
• Staff code of conduct and contractor assessment templates
• A development and training impact assessment template

👉 Read the guidance and access the toolkit here: Qualifications for Registered Providers of Social Housing – Guidance
or via our bespoke Registered Providers page here: Registered Providers only

posted 11 February 2026