Press Release                                                       

– for immediate release: 21/08/18

New Chief Executive, Nick Phillips, joined the Almshouse Association on the 17th August 2018.

Nick Phillips is an experienced Chief Executive and has worked in the charitable sector for over twenty years. His early career as a Chartered Surveyor was in commercial property management and investment. He has a long-standing interest in historic buildings.

Elizabeth Fathi, Chair of Trustees for the Almshouse Association said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Nick to the Almshouse Association. Nick brings with him a valuable combination of knowledge, experience and understanding that meets our requirements perfectly. We are at an exciting time within our membership organisation as well as in the world of social housing and I am confident that Nick will lead us through to achieving our strategy and vision for the benefit of our membership and the almshouse movement as a whole.”

Nick said: “Almshouses are amongst the oldest form of charities in the UK and I feel that the value of the almshouse model for social housing has never been higher. There is growing evidence that almshouses contribute to improved well-being and decreased loneliness for residents due to their unique characteristics and inherent sense of community. I am looking forward to working with our membership.”

“Amongst my list of priorities I intend to ensure a higher political and public profile for our members and almshouses in general so that they are recognised and supported for the vital part they play in providing enduring low-cost community housing.”

Notes for Editors

  • The Almshouse Association is the membership body for almshouse charities throughout the UK
  • There are 1700 almshouse charities across the UK providing homes for 35,000 residents making them collectively one of the largest specialist providers of low-cost community housing. Despite the large numbers housed, 80% of almshouse charities provide less than 20 homes.
  • Almshouse charities differ from other providers of housing as they;
    • Charge a maintenance contribution for the upkeep of the property rather than rent
    • Appoint residents as beneficiaries of the charity rather than on a short term tenancy
    • Holding their housing stock in perpetuity
  • Almshouse charities are regulated by the Charity Commission with approximately 25% being additionally regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, as a consequence of receiving government funding.

Press Release Contacts

Elizabeth Fathi: Tel: 01884 251444 Mob: 07767 384784   E: elizabeth@tivertonalmshouse.org.uk
Nick Phillips: Tel: 01344 452922 E: nickphillips@almshouses.org

The Almshouse Association      Billingbear Lodge, Maidenhead Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 5RU    www.almshouses.org