Local councils supporting almshouse regeneration

Two excellent articles were recently published on local county council websites where they had awarded funds to community projects, highlighting the strong appreciation local councils have for both the historic significance of the buildings and the positive impact almshouses provide to the community.

On the Derbyshire Dales District Council website

Historic almshouse embraces new technology – 10 September 2024

After 440 years Wirksworth’s original almshouse has received a major refurbishment that creates affordable housing fit for purpose for many more years to come – and your District Council has helped.

In 1584, Anthony Gell of Hopton Hall, near Wirksworth, stipulated in his Will that his executor and brother Thomas Gell should “within a year and a half of my death bestow of the making and building of one Almshouse in the side of the Hannage near the new bridge the sum of £60”.

The Almshouse originally comprised six flats, though by 1963 the accommodation had been altered to allow for four larger flats. Over the last 60 years these flats have received some upgrade, but the fabric of the building had deteriorated significantly with age.

Last year the the Anthony Gell and Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity was awarded a grant from Derbyshire Dales District Council not only to refurbish the property, but to achieve a real step change in the energy conservation of the building. This presented a major challenge given that the building is Grade 2 listed. Reducing the residents’ fuel bills and improving the quality of their accommodation was also an important consideration. To achieve this the very latest of technologies have been employed, whilst incorporating them in a sympathetic way.

wirksworth almshouse back to brick restoration

The building work was completed in June of this year, taking seven months. An air source heat pump has been installed to heat the flats, via both underfloor heating and radiators, ensuring that the temperature in the flats is maintained at 21 degrees. This has been made possible by stripping all plasterwork back to brick and applying the latest technology in insulating plaster material. In addition, a full ventilation and heat extraction system and double-glazed windows have been installed to ensure a steady internal temperature is achieved. Each of these elements has been necessary to achieve the required objective.

The opportunity was also taken to install new kitchens and bathrooms, to a high standard, and, where possible, improving the ease of use for those who have mobility issues.

Nigel Johns, chair, the Anthony Gell and Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity, said:

“This project has demonstrated that, with careful planning, an historic building can be refurbished in a way that delivers a considerable improvement in its energy efficiency, whilst not compromising the historic fabric of the building.

“The trustees of the charity are delighted that such a historic building is set up for many years to come, whilst protecting the legacy of Anthony Gell. At the same time this has provided comfortable and affordable accommodation to the residents, which is so important.”

On behalf of the District Council, Director of Housing Rob Cogings said:

“The Council is pleased to have worked in partnership with the almshouse charity to secure the long-term future of the four flats and significantly improve the energy efficiency of the homes. The Energy Performance Certificate for the flats has improved from a poor F rating to D.

“This is one of a number of schemes financed by the Council to support small community-based housing providers deliver much need homes for rent. It is great to see these historic homes given a new lease of life.”

On the Sunderland City Council website

Scheme to transform Minster Quarter comes to a close – 2024

A Scheme to restore some of Sunderland’s best loved heritage buildings has come to a close after six years of making improvements to the city’s Minster Quarter.

Sunderland City Council was awarded £1.9m in funding thanks to National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme in 2018. This combined with contributions from the owners and tenants has seen over £3m invested in the city centre buildings and activities throughout the scheme.

The Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme has focused on repairing historic buildings, improving public spaces, and hosting events and activities to promote the history of the area. It has aided restoration works at The Peacock, The Dun Cow, the rear wall of the Gibson Almshouses and the roof of the Sunderland Empire Theatre and Box Office, as well as repairs to buildings on Low Row, Church Lane and High Street West.

Minster Park was completely revitalised as part of the scheme in 2020, with new landscaping that features a central sensory garden and historic features of the area reinstated.

Now the scheme has come to a close with a celebration event at the Sunderland Empire Theatre.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Business, said:

“As the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme comes to a close it is the perfect time to reflect on the brilliant work which has been carried out as part of the project since 2018.

“We have seen Minster Park completely transformed into a beautiful green space for the city centre, and iconic Sunderland buildings like the Empire Theatre, Dun Cow and The Peacock repaired and preserved. This has made a big difference to the Minster Quarter and complements the ongoing work on the Riverside Sunderland development where we are transforming the city centre into an extraordinary place to live and work and a vibrant destination for leisure and culture.”

Councillor Beth Jones, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, said:

“The work that has been undertaken as part of the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme has helped to improve the look and feel of a vibrant new cultural quarter in the heart of the city centre. Maintaining and preserving our beautiful heritage buildings means that they can be be enjoyed for many more years to come.”

Since its launch, volunteers have spent more than 2,000 hours participating in the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage Scheme, including activities like carrying out historic research, recording lost voices with community actors, music workshops and crafting an embroidered banner that now hangs in Sunderland Minster.

The project also saw 63 students on construction courses at Sunderland College spend over 850 hours on site undertaking training and learning opportunities, and 13 young people learning media skills were also offered placements.

Louise Sutherland, Head of Engagement, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“It is fantastic to see the completion of the Bishopwearmouth Townscape Heritage project and the hard work of all involved. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project has transformed a local green space, restored the fabric of late Victorian and early Edwardian buildings of Sunderland’s historic townscape and shared the areas fascinating heritage, ensuring it can be enjoyed by local people and visitors from further afield for years to come.”

posted 12 September 2024

Remember a Charity Week

The Great Map of Willanthropy launches today showcasing the impact of charitable gifts in Wills across the UK.

The Almshouse Association celebrates the generosity of local supporters this Remember a Charity Week.

This Remember A Charity Week (09-15 September 2024), The Almshouse Association is coming together with almost 200 charities, hundreds of legal firms and partners to celebrate the phenomenal impact of gifts in Wills (Willanthropy*) in funding vital charitable services for future generations.

Charities and charitable services enabled through gifts in Wills are showcased on the Great Map of Willanthropy, launched this week.

Raising £4 billion for good causes across the UK each year, charitable gifts in Wills have never been more needed or more valued, according to charity consortium Remember A Charity. A record number of people donated from their Wills in 2023 – over 38,000 in England and Wales alone – and almost 11,000 charities and community-based organisations were named in those Wills[1].

Funding the future of charitable and community services across the UK, gifts in Wills can enable organisations like The Almshouse Association to continue supporting member almshouse charities to run their almshouses well and provide safe and warm homes for 36,000 people in need, as well as protect these national heritage buildings.

The Great Map of Willanthropy shines a spotlight on local charitable services up and down the country and overseas. This interactive map enables the public to search for good causes by area and to consider if they can support future generations by remembering a charity alongside their loved ones in their Will.

Figures released to coincide with Remember A Charity Week show that public appetite for donating from a Will is high, with over a third (35%) of UK adults[2] saying they are likely to give in this way, joining a growing generation of ’Willanthropists’ who hope to leave the world a better place.

Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, adds:

“These are incredibly challenging times for UK charities and, in this environment, charitable gifts in Wills have never been more needed or more valued. Donating in this way can be such an empowering and inspiring way to support your favourite charity. No matter whether a gift is large or small, everyone who remembers a charity in their Will can help to shape the future of the world they leave behind.”

*Willanthropy is the act of giving to charity from your Will

To make a donation, please click here

To find out more about leaving a legacy, please go to Remember A Charity – The Almshouse Association

[1] Smee & Ford Legacy Trends Report 2024

[2] Censuswide, poll of 2004 UK adults, Jan/Feb 2024

posted 11 September 2024

Request from CEO

Please join us in responding to the National Planning Policy Framework Consultation – Closing date – 23 September 2024

Dear Members

Thank you so much for all your support with the amendment to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) so far. Your support has already helped significantly. As you may know there is now a consultation on the NPPF and the attached paper sets out the response of The Almshouse Association. We need your help again to help push this over the line. This consultation closes on the 23 September 2024 so we are throwing our full efforts behind; it may be our best chance.

Can you spare a few moments to add your voice to the consultation? It really will only take a few moments, and I think this is possibly our best chance at seeing change. It would be great if you could.

Please log onto: Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system – Page 1 of 19 – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Citizen Space

Complete your charity details.

There are over 100 questions in the online consultation. The Almshouse Association feels our remit allows us to answer further questions related to affordable housing and planning and our answers can be found in our written response paper here. As independent charities, you will decide on your responses to any questions that you feel relevant, however if you are short of time and can only answer one or two questions, can we ask that those questions are the most important for us all – Questions 56 and 57 – which have been drafted by Government directly seeking a response from the almshouse network. You will need to read the questions in more detail for context and I have copied the questions in the adjoining written response paper (see link above), however for ease, our responses to Qs 56 and 57 are set out below.

Please adapt as you see fit. We have underlined and highlighted in BOLD the amendments we would like to see to the wording of the current NPPF definition of affordable housing, however the key message we are hoping to raise is that almshouse charities that are not Registered should be considered able to apply for Section 106 benefits, in the NPPF definition of affordable housing.

It would also be a great help if you are also able to send the enclosed letter to your local MP having made the appropriate amendments.

TAA Responses to the consultation – Qs 56 &57:

The full background and context to the questions can be found in the written response paper (see link above) and in the consultation document online.

Question 56 – Do you agree with these changes?

Answer 56: – Almshouse charities are often the only form of affordable housing in rural areas. Trustees are drawn from the community. Almshouses are exempt from the Right to Buy and the homes are offered in the community, led by those from the community in perpetuity. Almshouses are community housing in all but name. The definition for community housing should include almshouses as charities. Charities are restricted to work on the terms of their Governing Documents by law and it is essential that the definition of “Community Led Housing” does not exclude charities that deliver exactly to the objectives of the Government and local communities.

The Almshouse Association would like to see almshouse charities recognised as Community Housing in this aspect of planning. Almshouse charities are led by local trustees drawn from the local community. They provide homes for the local community and are charities where no profit is taken. They are exempt from the right to buy – so remain in perpetuity for local people in housing need. Almshouse charities should be considered for Rural Exception Sites.

We are also seeking views on whether changes are needed to the definition of ‘affordable housing for rent’ in the Framework glossary, to make it easier for organisations that are not Registered Providers, for example community-led developers and almshouses, to develop new affordable homes. This is intended to inform our approach to National Development Management Policies. Please see question 57 below and a possible response:

Question 57 – Do you have views on whether the definition of ‘affordable housing for rent’ in the Framework glossary should be amended? If so, what changes would you recommend?

Answer 57: The Almshouse Association would like to see a change to the definition of affordable housing for rent to include almshouse charities registered with The Charity Commission and by definition provide affordable housing to those in need.

As the definition is drafted in its current form almshouse charities (not Regulated Housing Providers) are not only excluded from accessing Section 106 opportunities but are in some cases required to pay a Section 106 levy when they do expand provision of affordable housing.

The Almshouse Association would like to see the following included in the NPPF definition of affordable housing:

Affordable housing

Housing for sale or rent (including housing made available to residents who are Charity Beneficiaries as LICENSEES), for those whose needs are not met by the market (including housing that provides a subsidised route to home ownership and/or is for essential local workers); and which falls within one or other of the following definitions:

Affordable housing for rent:

EITHER

(i) meets all the following conditions:

(a) the rent is set in accordance with the Government’s rent policy for Social Rent or Affordable Rent or is at least 20% below local market rents (including service charges where applicable).

(b) the landlord is a Registered Provider, except where it is included as part of a Build to Rent scheme (in which case the landlord need not be a Registered Provider); and

(c) it includes provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households, or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision. For Build to Rent schemes, affordable housing for rent is expected to be the normal form of affordable housing provision (and, in this context, is known as “Affordable Private Rent”).

(ii) the landlord is an almshouse charity operating under the agreed code of practice, registered with the charity commission for England and Wales offering housing as almshouses to persons in need in return for a weekly maintenance contribution equivalent to a social rent or an affordable rent.”

Thank you so much for your help. You have already been a great support and I hate to ask for more help, particularly when so many of you are so busy. Please use any of our responses to other questions (in the briefing paper enclosed) and in the attached letter template to your MP.

We will keep you advised of progress.

Best regards

Nick Phillips
CEO of The Almshouse Association

posted 10 September 2024

Refurbishment of the Ufford Almshouses – End of Project Case Study

A mission to bring a 17th Century Hospital in Ufford, Suffolk, into the 21st Century

In 2023, Ufford Almshouses received a £75,000 loan from the Association towards the extension and refurbishment of their two almshouses.

By November 2023, as you can read in their mid-project case study, the Ufford Almshouses Refurbishment Project was in full swing with property 2a almost complete and a new roof installed.

If a charity does not have sufficient funds to carry out necessary works to their almshouses, part of the service The Almshouse Association offers its member charities is financial help in the forms of grants and loans.

Thanks to Judi Hallett, Clerk to the Non-Ecclesiastical Charites, Ufford, we are pleased to be able to bring news of the completed project and demonstrate how funds have been spent.

November 2023 to July 2024

Whilst completion of 2a took longer than anticipated (delays were a result of contractors working on other projects and difficulties with the supply of some materials), on 1st March 2024, Mrs C, a resident of the almshouses for over 20 years, successfully moved from number 2 to number 2a. This was thought to be a record short distance by the removal company!

The almshouses were refurbished sequentially, rather than at the same time and rather than move temporarily to a house further away, Mrs C opted to stay in No. 2 whilst work was being carried out to No. 2a. She then moved into the completed No. 2a whilst work was being undertaken at No. 2. Having lived in No. 2 for two decades, Mrs C was always adamant that she wanted to move back when it was completed and we had reassured her that this would be possible. Two days after living at the completed 2a, however, she changed her mind, and asked if she could stay!

According to her son, “she loved the new home so much she didn’t want to move back!”

The new home gave Mrs C a downstairs bathroom with walk in shower. She also had a dedicated downstairs bedroom and a garden further away from the road, which gave her greater privacy.

Property No. 2

The day after Mrs C moved to number 2a, demolition started in number 2.

We had made the assumption that the property was a mirror image of next door, but it soon became obvious it was not.

Measurements for kitchens and bathrooms had to be tweaked but we worked closely with our architect and builder to overcome any issues.

The work to number 2 also took a little longer than anticipated.

This meant our new resident, Mr Whitehand, had to remain in his existing accommodation longer than planned, but we are pleased to be able to confirm that he was able to successfully move in on 1st July 2024.

Funding

Much of the funding for this project has come from the Charity’s endowments and Extraordinary Repair Fund.

The Almshouse Association reviewed the project in detail and held an onsite meeting with two of the trustees before awarding the Charity a loan of £75,000. This is to be paid back over a 10-year period, and we have already started to make the payments.

The charity trustees were also able to secure a grant from Homes England. To secure this grant we worked with Saffer Cooper Consultancy via Almshouse Consortium Ltd, experts in grant funding and project management who provide a pathway to obtaining financial support from Homes England. The grant was for approximately one third of the total cost of the project.

What will the benefits be of the project?

Now complete, the Ufford Almshouses are fit for living in the 21st Century. They are accessible and allow for ground floor living, when required. They have modern heating and are fit for purpose for at least another 30 years.

Opening Ceremony and Open House Afternoon

On 26th June 2024, we held an Opening Ceremony and Open House Afternoon inviting everyone involved with the project, retired trustees and their relatives and our residents. Our newest resident, Mr Whitehand, cut the ribbon and we all enjoyed cake and bubbles.

We then welcomed over 80 visitors from the village through the door to view the refurbishments.

Did you know?…

Funds used by The Almshouse Association to make loans to charities last in perpetuity. Loans to charities are interest-free with just a small setup fee. As they pay back the loan over a 10 year period, the Association is able to re-lend out the funds over and over again, ensuring more almshouses can be built or older almshouses can be preserved with a new roof or modernised with extensions or wet rooms. So if you are thinking about contributing to our rolling charity support fund by making a donation or leaving money in your Will, you will know that your money will be helping to change people’s lives for the better for many, many generations to come.

To find out more, please click here

posted 5 September 2024

Municipal Charities present grants at annual garden party

Almshouses in the community

This year’s Municipal Charities Garden party was held at their Guild Cottages almshouses on 1 August 2024. Special guests including the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon Jason Fotjik, the High Sheriff of Warwickshire, Rajvinder Kaur Gill and the new MP for Stratford-upon-Avon Manuela Perteghella, joined trustees, staff and residents for a wonderful afternoon in the grounds of the almshouses.

Mayor Jason Fotjik presented a grant cheque for £2,500 from the Relief in Need charity to the Stratford Youth Collective and the High Sheriff, Rajvinder Kaur Gill presented a grant cheque for £2,500 from the Relief in Need charity to the Friendship Project.

Andy Smith, Chair of Municipal Charities said,

“We are delighted to be able to give these two organisations funding to help them in their work. The grant to the Stratford Youth Collective will support their Holiday Activities and Food Fund programme which provides healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning during the summer. The grant to the Friendship Project will enable them to provide volunteers to offer one to one support to disadvantaged children in Stratford who by virtue of their family circumstances are withdrawn and lacking in confidence or suffering from low self esteem.”

MP Menuala Perteghella (centre, red blouse) was introduced to Phil Sweet, almshouse resident and DDay veteran (front, holding framed photo) who proudly showed her his photograph with Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh, taken at Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance to mark D-Day 80, at the National Memorial Arboretum.

She commented after, “It was a wonderful event and I am very grateful that I was able to see the good and important work almshouses do at so many levels.”

The grants are from The Relief in Need Charity, which is part of the Municipal Charities of Stratford-upon-Avon. The Relief in Need Charity has given out over £70,000 of grants in the last year to help those in financial difficulties in Stratford-upon-Avon. These grants have supported families by providing items including washing machines, cookers, fridges, school uniforms for refugees, food vouchers at Christmas and carpeting. To find out more, please get in touch with the Chief Officer on chiefofficer@municipal-charities.org.uk 01789 293749 or via their website https://www.municipal-charities.org.uk/relief-in-need-charity/contact-relief-in-need

posted 4 September 2024

STOP PRESS – S106 opportunities

Section 106 development opportunities for almshouse charities

You will already be aware that the Association is working with the Government to amend the National Planning Policy Framework in favour of almshouses (not registered with The Regulator of Social Housing), however, we wanted to share with our members some recent conversations we have been having with organisations outside of Government.

CEO Nick Phillips recently met the Director of Vistry Group, the largest building company in the country, which own companies including Linden Homes/Bovis Homes/Countryside Homes. They have agreed, in principle, that if there is a small Section 106 opportunity on a site being developed by any of these companies and your charity would like to adopt the S106 Affordable Housing aspect of the site, please contact Nick Phillips who will put you in touch with the appropriate local Director.

NOTE: If your charity is not registered with the Social Housing Regulator, we may need to persuade the local council to accept almshouses. In some council areas the planners will accept non-registered charities as providers of affordable housing but most require a more detailed conversation.

Vistry Group, although a very commercial organisation, have an interest in almshouses and how they can support almshouse development as part of their 106 obligations.

posted 2 September 2024

Windsor MP supports Association proposal

The Almshouse Association is pleased that Windsor MP, Jack Rankin supports our proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, aimed at increasing affordable housing.

Windsor MP Jack Rankin was recently interviewed by the Slough Observer newspaper about development on and around greenbelts, commenting, “I back a ‘plan-led’ approach of managing our spaces, putting new build revenue back into preserving our green belt. I will always be a loud and proud champion of our environment, ensuring the character of our local spaces surrounding the towns and villages I represent is preserved”.

He spoke about his enjoyment at joining the residents at the Ellison House almshouse, formally The New Windsor Municipal Charities, for a recent BBQ, saying,

“I had a great time chatting with the residents about their life experiences, including some fantastic military stories”, adding “There are some policy tweaks to the National Planning Policy Framework which The Almshouse Association believe could enable more homes like this and reduce costs. I will be making these representations.”

This is good news for The Almshouse Association. MP support, from all parties, for our proposal to have almshouses recognised as affordable housing in the National Planning Policy Framework is imperative to our success.

posted 2 September 2024

New home for new resident at Jesus Hospital almshouses, Canterbury

Case Study: Jesus Hospital refurbishment project

If a charity does not have sufficient funds to carry our necessary works to their almshouses, part of the service The Almshouse Association offers its member charities is financial help in the forms of grants and loans.

In 2023 Q4, the Association received a grant request from Jesus Hospital, and we were pleased to be able to provide a grant of £2,000 towards the refurbishment of one of their flats.

As the keys were handed over to a very happy new resident, new warden, David Roper, shares their story with us:

Background

_{The 1595 building with chapel (below the clock)}

The ‘Hospital’, or almshouses, was founded in 1595 by Sir John Boys, who had made his fortune in law, for 8 poor men and 4 poor women, known as ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters‘. He had perhaps been inspired by Sir Roger Manwood’s foundation set up 20 or so years before. He also set up a school for boys.

Click here to find out more

Today there are 14 flats which can provide homes for 19 people over the age of 55 on low incomes who live in the Canterbury area. There is an on-site warden and residents benefit from a communal garden and all within easy walking distance of shops, doctor’s surgery, restaurants, and a cinema. In recent years the Weekly Maintenance Contribution (WMC) had been kept quite low and the trustees had limited access to investment funds. In April 2023 the resident warden retired and the present warden took up his post on 1 October 2023.

In the latter part of 2022, an elderly resident developed increasingly difficult health issues and sadly, after many years as a resident, needed to move into a care home in June 2023. It was a difficult situation to manage at the time, especially without a warden in post.

The project

After assessing the condition of the vacant flat, the trustees realised that a substantial refurbishment was required before a new resident could be invited to move in. The flat needed decorating throughout, plus a new kitchen and bathroom. Fortunately, the carpets came up well with a deep clean so did not require renewing.

There was a lovely surprise when the old kitchen was stripped out – they found a tiny fire hearth hiding behind the units, though coal allowance is no longer a resident benefit!

Once the contractors had finished, a working party of residents enjoyed a happy day cleaning windows and revarnishing the window frames which provided both an enjoyable social event for the community and a considerable cost saving.

The total cost of the project including loss of WMC (flat was vacant for 8 months whilst renovations where undertaken), council tax liability and utilities came to £19,000.

New home for a new resident

Jesus Hospital now has a new resident who received her keys in March 2024 and is very happy to have joined the community.

Click here to find out how you can help us support almshouse charities build new and renovate older almshouses, ensuring safe, warm and affordable homes in friendly communities are available for people who need them for many years to come.

posted August 2024

Affordable homes…..

…..not just a numbers game….

Providing affordable homes is not merely a numbers game – its about prioritising residents in the planning process. Small-scale developments within communities – tailored for local residents – have proven to enhance well-being and longevity.

Its great news that the new Government is proposing more housing for those in need and while the greenbelt is not our primary concern, we offer some thoughts for the enthusiastic planners and developers aiming to build extensively on greyfield sites that may alleviate some of the pressure on our countryside.

Prioritising people over plans. Consider how people want to live. Affordable homes should be built with the communities they serve in mind. Small-scale developments near services often blend well with villages and towns. If local communities feel invested in these projects, especially as homes for those in need from their own areas, planners may find it easier to gain support.

Identifying areas suitable for redevelopment can help protect the local Greenbelt. Many regions have disused buildings and office sites that are prime for revitalisation. Redevelopment of these buildings can reignite the community spirit and strengthen local bonds.

Affordability must genuinely reflect the means of the community’s residents. Typically, 80% of market rents are still out of reach for many who need affordable housing.

Above all, prioritise residents at the heart of development. For those seeking successful small-scale housing, the almshouse model serves as an exemplary guide.

posted 5 August 2024

NPPF and Affordable Housing

BREAKING NEWS

The Association has been keeping pressure on the Government to review the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and update the definition of affordable housing to include unregistered almshouse charities.

At a meeting with Civil Servants, backed by your great supporting letters, we have been advised that a new “lightening” consultation will take place very soon to review the NPPF and it will include a specific question about almshouses.

Yes, – we have been here before.. but, we believe now is our best chance to correct this historic anomaly. It is important to note, however, that it is very highly likely that in return for any state support that becomes available as a result of a change to the NPPF, the Government will need assurances that almshouse charities are maintaining high standards for residents.

Association CEO, Nick Phillips will shortly be seeking members’ approval for a proposal to give the Government extra confidence and the almshouse movement the best chance of making this change.

Your letters to MPs have had a huge impact but the Association will be asking for a last push – to respond to a 2 minute yes/no questionnaire and to support the proposal to Government.

This proposal may well “kill two birds with one stone” as we are conscious that over our shoulder, snapping at our heels, is the new Renters Bill. This Bill will possibly sweep up any housing providers (inc. almshouse charities that are not recognised as Registered Providers) into a sector governed by private rented legislation. Our goal is to safeguard our charity status by developing our own fair and practical accreditation that is widely accepted, thus mitigating any negative effects on almshouse charities.

Your support of this proposal would help us to work towards this goal and help safeguard our independence.

To complete the short questionnaire – please click here
To view the briefing – please click here

If you have any questions relating to the questionnaire or the consultation in general, please do not hesitate to contact us.

posted 1 August 2024