The Almshouse Association is enormously pleased to be able to confirm to our members that The Charity Commission has now publicly recognised our official definition of an almshouse and has added the definition to their Operation Guidance.

After over 2 years of meetings and deliberations, members feedback and rewrites, we consider this a major milestone as we look to grow and develop the almshouse movement. The definition now gives us greater authority to show the unique nature of almshouses, whilst being able to reference official recognition from a government body.  

It is important to receive this confirmation as we move forward with our discussions with local and national government, ensuring that our members are not hindered in their efforts to support their charities.

The official definition and description is:

An almshouse is a unit of residential accommodation (usually a house or flat) which belongs to a charity, is provided exclusively to meet the charityā€™s purposes (for example, the relief of financial need or infirmity) and is occupied or is available for occupation under a licence by a qualified beneficiary.

An almshouse charity is typically a charity which is established for purposes which are to be furthered by the provision of one or more almshouses.

An almshouse charity is usually a charity for the relief of financial hardship by the provision of housing and associated services or benefits which must (or is authorised to) provide its primary benefit by the grant of a licence to occupy the accommodation that it owns to its beneficiaries.

In addition, an almshouse charity is likely to have one or more of the following features:

a. The origin of the charity is a private gift for the relief of poverty;

b. The beneficiaries are required to pay a weekly maintenance contribution that must not be set at a level that would cause hardship;

c. The nature of the accommodation is such that the licence requires that beneficiaries must show particular consideration for the needs of other residents;

d. A significant proportion of the accommodation is permanent endowment;

e. The beneficial class or the geographical area from which it can be drawn is restricted.

The full document on almshouses on the Charity Commision website can be found here. (scroll down the index to almshouses)

Posted 1 October 2020