Mid 2018, the Almshouse Association established and tasked a legal working group to produce both a legal definition of an ‘almshouse charity’ and an accompanying general description.
The definition and description were presented and approved by the board of trustees in September, then posted on our website for members to comment on and review. A deadline for feedback was set for 31st October 18 and a number of our members made valid contributions to the final draft put forward to government.
On 22nd January 2019, Nick Phillips CEO, Chris Targowski, Assistant Director (Policy) and expert charity lawyer Francesca Quint met with the Charity Commission Case Manager and their lawyer to present the definition and description.
It was a very positive meeting and the Charity Commission recognised the great benefits that would come from an agreed definition. They are very interested to hear from charities that have been financially affected by Section 106 and Selective Licensing legislation, as well as any other occasions charities have found themselves adversely impacted by the lack of a clear definition of ‘almshouses’.
If you have evidence that could support the need for an agreed definition that will help us build case studies to present to the Charity Commission, please contact ChrisTargowski@almshouses.org
The Almshouse Association will continue to update our members with progress and next steps.