P&G update: 26.07.23

Following a significant push from Association member charities and supporting MPs, we have seen a consistent response to questions in the House of Commons.

This government response is significant because for the first time the answer to the questions posed is suggesting that local government has the power to decide if almshouses meet the terms of Sec106. We have long argued that the National Planning Policy Framework is guidance only and that charities should be considered as proper affordable housing.

HoC Written Answer: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Almshouses: Affordable Housing

Q: Siobhain McDonagh (Lab) (Mitcham and Morden): (194657) To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to include almshouses in the National Planning Policy Framework definition of affordable housing.

A: Rachel Maclean (Con) (Redditch): I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 185863 on 30 May 2023.

Almshouses play a valuable role in providing homes for communities across the country. Registration with the Regulator of Social Housing is voluntary for almshouses, and a number of almshouses do choose to register. Where almshouses are registered with the Regulator, they are required to meet the Regulator’s economic and consumer standards.

Affordable housing contributions in Section 106 agreements are negotiated between local planning authorities and developers.

Grouped Questions: 194587, 194656

Source

HoC Written Answer: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Almshouses: Regulation

Q: Siobhain McDonagh (Lab) (Mitcham and Morden): (194656) To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he plans to bring forward proposals on the regulation of almshouses.

A: Rachel Maclean (Con) (Redditch): I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 185863 on 30 May 2023.

Affordable housing contributions in Section 106 agreements are negotiated between local planning authorities and developers.

Grouped Questions: 194587, 194657

Source

HoC Written Answer: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Almshouses: Finance

Q: Daisy Cooper (Lib Dem) (St Albans): (194587) To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling alms houses to access section 106 funding in the same way as housing associations.

A: Rachel Maclean (Con) (Redditch): I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 185863 on 30 May 2023.

Affordable housing contributions in Section 106 agreements are negotiated between local planning authorities and developers.

Grouped Questions: 194656, 194657

We are asking further questions of Government.

posted 27 July 2023

Major Government Support Package

On Tuesday 25 July 2023 Department for Culture Media and Sport announced that charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help vulnerable people are invited to apply for a major government support package.

Most vulnerable people in society protected from cost of living with £76 million government support package
New fund supporting charities and community organisations providing vital services opens today
Grants targeted at organisations struggling with rising costs and increased demand
Delivers on Prime Minister’s commitment to support people with cost of living and protect low-income households

Charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help vulnerable people are today invited to apply for a major government support package worth £76 million. The fund will support frontline charities and community organisations struggling to meet increased demand for their critical services, such as the provision of food, emergency provisions, shelter, safe spaces, warmth and financial or housing advice.

Organisations can apply for grants worth between £10,000 and £75,000 to cover project and core costs, including office rent, utilities, staff and volunteers, from now until the end of March.

“We recognise this is a tough time for families and businesses across the country, as they face rising prices and higher rents or mortgage payments. And during tough times charity and community organisations are at the heart of society, supporting people struggling through life with care and compassion. To deal with a sharp rise in demand resulting from cost of living pressures, we are supporting charities with £76 million to enable these lifeline services to cope with the increased demand they are facing and continue their good work.”
Minister for Civil Society Stuart Andrew

Further details on eligibility and the applications process can be found on The National Lottery Community Fund website, in their role as the intermediary grant maker.

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is the first portion of funding from a total pot of £101.5 million announced by the Chancellor at the spring Budget. Charities and community organisations are encouraged to apply for the targeted support, with a focus on small to medium-sized voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations based in England with an annual turnover of between £10,000 and around £1 million. Larger organisations can also apply if they show that they work closely and effectively with local communities as well as fill a gap in essential local services.

Applications will be accepted until midday 16 October 2023 and all funds must be spent by 31 March 2024.

posted 26 July 2023

P&G update: 25.7.23

Update on the Association’s recent political engagement and The Social Housing Bill:

National Planning Policy Framework

The Almshouse Association has recorded over 60 letters to the Secretary of State in support of our proposed amendment to the National Planning Policy Framework to properly recognise almshouses as affordable housing.

This amendment is requested as part of the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill. Thank you to everyone who has engaged their MPs and helped raise the profile of the almshouse movement. The Association’s visit to Theresa May MP was a great boost to our cause and her persuasive letter added weight to the many other letters seeking change.

The Bill has now passed to The House of Lords where the battle continues and last week Baroness Hayman of Ullock requested the amendment to the definition of affordable housing. This is likely now to be debated in September, and having also been tabled as an amendment, it will be considered. Further support for an amendment to the definition has also been expressed by Baroness Scott.

We will continue to raise the issue and build support from Peers in the hope that this minor change to the National Planning Policy Framework is affected. The definition of affordable housing was sent to all MPs last Friday from The House of Commons as part of their familiarisation homework. We hope this is a precursor to further discussions around the subject.

Other work is on going in relation to Regulated Housing and the almshouse model seeking a more proportionate form of regulation for almshouse charities.

The Social Housing Bill has now received Royal Assent

The Social Housing Regulation Act received royal assent this week.

This is a huge milestone in the Government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Tragedy, and represents the biggest change to the regulation of social housing in over a decade.

The Act will make a real difference including:

Facilitating the introduction of proactive consumer regulation by the Regulator of Social Housing, with regular inspections of the largest landlords
Stronger enforcement powers for the Regulator to take action where landlords do not meet the standards
Additional Housing Ombudsman powers to publish best practice guidance to landlords following investigations into tenant complaints
Powers to set strict time limits for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould, as part of Awaab’s Law
Powers to set new qualification requirements for social housing managers

The passage of this legislation is one step in the Government’s social housing reform programme. In the near future, the Regulator will consult on revisions to the consumer standards and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) will take forward consultations on Awaab’s Law, changes to the Decent Homes Standard, the professionalisation of the sector and the Access to Information Scheme.

DLUC ended their statement by saying:

“We would like to thank The Almshouse Association for your support and challenge during the passage of the Bill. The Government believes strongly in the value of almshouses providing good quality homes in the sector, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in the implementation of the new consumer regime.”

We too look forward to working with DLUC and other government departments in the hope of affecting change where it is needed and supporting change where are members feel it is right.

posted 25 July 2023

Association welcomes new Chairman

We are delighted to announce that Willie Hartley Russell MVO DL, has been appointed as the new Chairman of The Almshouse Association. The announcement was made on Thursday 15 June 2023 at the Association’s Members’ Day and Annual General Meeting.

Willie has been a dedicated member of The Almshouse Association Board of Trustees for 20 years, serving in significant roles as Chair of sub-committees, and as Vice Chairman of The Almshouse Association for the last six years.

_{Willie with the out-going Chair Elizabeth Fathi (2018 – 2023) at Members Day 2023}

Willie is a highly regarded investment management professional with generations of family commitment to almshouses. He is a driving force in his local community having recently been High Sheriff of The Royal County of Berkshire (2021/2022), Vice President of the Berkshire Community Foundation, and a Deputy Lieutenant of the County. He is a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, ensuring that the important links with City Livery companies and The Almshouse Association are maintained.

Willie runs his own farming enterprise and has shown huge personal commitment to the almshouse movement, chairing the family foundation, The Hartley Trust, which dates back to 1393. The Trust has been in the family for nearly 400 years and is the tenth oldest almshouse foundation in the country.

Of his appointment as Chairman of The Almshouse Association Willie Hartley Russell said:

“Almshouses are about people – the people that occupy them and the volunteer trustees who manage them. It is these people who provide the ‘community spirit’ that makes almshouse living so unique and enduring.

I am looking forward to being Chairman of The Almshouse Association. I want to build closer relationships with government and the housing sector to protect and enhance this exemplary form of community housing that is still so relevant today. I hope, too, that I can encourage more philanthropic support for the longevity of the movement.”

On Willie’s appointment, Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, comments:

“I am delighted. Willie brings formidable experience to our leadership. With his financial career in investment management in the City he brings sound business acumen, and, with his long history of family commitment to almshouses, he has a depth of knowledge that can see the Association and the wider almshouse movement thrive and become robust for the next century.”

_{Cutting at the cake at the Association’s 75th Anniversary celebration}

_{Willie Hartley Russell (second from left) with fellow board trustees, Clive Cook, Elizabeth Fathi and Paul Mullis}

In the news:

New chairman of Almhouses Association looks to enhance ‘this exemplary form of community housing’ that dates back centuries – Wokingham.Today

Willie Hartley Russell, of Bucklebury House, takes on chairmanship of Berkshire-based charity, The Almshouse Association (newburytoday.co.uk)

New chairman of Almhouses Association looks to enhance ‘this exemplary form of community housing’ that dates back centuries – Reading Today Online (rdg.today)

The Almshouse Association Chairman, Willie Hartley Russell on Kennet News Radio – click on link below and slide to 30.21 to listen.

posted 22 June 2023, updated 24 July 2023

Day’s & Atkinson’s join the 2023 London Festival of Architecture

The London Borough of Barnet was involved in the 2023 London Festival of Architecture and the Day’s & Atkinson Almshouses played a part in the celebrations this year. They held an event on Saturday 24^th June which took the form of a guided walk and talk with refreshments along the way.

“We met at the tomb of Charles Day (the ‘Day’ in Day’s and Atkinson’s) which is situated in the graveyard at St Margaret’s Church Edgware. We then moved on to the Day’s Almshouses in Stonegrove, then Atkinson’s Almshouses and finally the housing and community project that is ‘One Stonegrove’ where we held a Q & A and enjoyed a buffet lunch.

The event attracted around 30 participants and was attended by Councillors, the Clergy, Historic England, and members of the public. Rev’d Simon Rea (Chair of the Charity) and Peter Murphy (Trustee) each gave talks and took us on a journey of the architecture of the buildings and the history of the Charity.

The weather was perfect and our residents welcomed visitors into their homes and gave very positive testimonies as to the benefits of living in an almshouse.”
Mike Seaman, Clerk To The Trustees, Day’s and Atkinson’s Almshouses

Thank you for sending in these fantastic photos Mike and well done for all your hard work.

posted 5 July 2023

Olfactory Dysfunction in older people

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) describes a range of issues associated with the sense of smell, including the inability to smell (anosmia), a reduced sense of smell (hyposmia) and a distorted sense of smell, where things smell different to the way they should (parosmia).

Pre-Covid European population studies have suggested that persistent anosmia affects 1-5% of the population, with all forms of olfactory disorders affecting about 20%, increasing over the age >60 ^1-3; Based on European estimates⁴, anosmia is more prevalent in the UK than reported rates of profound hearing loss or blindness.

OD affects all age groups but is particularly prevalent in the older section of the population; many people will start to lose their sense of smell as part of the ageing process. Based on European population studies of OD and analysis of the UK population as of 2021, existing data shows that approximately:

13% of people between the ages of 60-69 (just under 1 million people) may have OD
25% of people between the ages of 70-79 (around 1.5 million people) may have OD
55% of people above the ages of 80 (over 1.8 million people) may have OD
4.2 million people over the age of 65 live alone, more than 1 in 4 of them may have OD

The impact of olfactory dysfunction on people’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety is significant. People can often experience poorer mental health by being unable to smell their partners and children, the places they visit or enjoy the flavours of their food and drink. Physical health can then suffer as people’s diet changes, which subsequently impacts nutrition. Safety and wellbeing at home is put at risk through being unable to smell gas, smoke or knowing when food has gone off and is unfit to eat. The fear and anxiety caused by being unable to smell these dangers further exacerbates the toll on mental health.

There is also a growing body of evidence pointing to olfactory dysfunction as being a significant factor in poorer health in later life. Research has demonstrated links between a poor sense of smell and frailty, as an early indicator of neurodegenerative disease, and of increased risk of mortality.

However, people don’t always realise they have a poor sense of smell, particularly if it deteriorates gradually over time. The fact that testing of the sense of smell happens, at present, in a relatively small number of specialist clinics is a factor in this too.

There are things that can be done to help people live well with a smell disorder, starting out with an awareness and understanding of the issue and how it can affect people’s lives, along with food tips, safety advice, peer support and more, all of which are part of the information and services provided by Fifth Sense, the charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders.

Information provided by Duncan Boak, CEO and founder, Fifth Sense
Fifth Sense is registered as a charity in England and Wales No. 1175553 and as a Private Company Limited by Guarantee No. 10255303. Our registered office is at Unit 2, Franklins House, Wesley Lane, Bicester OX26 6JU

posted 4 July 2023

P&G update: 4.7.23

– Affordable Housing Definition

Today Baroness Hayman of Ullock has requested a review of the definition of ‘affordable housing’ under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Web link: Unnumbered amendment to Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill – Parliamentary Bills – UK Parliament

The Almshouse Association will be writing to contacts in The House of Lords seeking their support for the review.

Thank you to all members who have written to their MPs in support of the proposal. We are still not guaranteed a review and even further from a definition that includes almshouses under the framework ….. but we are moving in the right direction.

posted 4 July 2023

The Almshouse Association Members Day 2023

A Celebration of Community, Compassion, Companionship, and Care

On 15th July 2023, The Almshouse Association hosted Members Day 2023 at the prestigious One Great George Street in Westminster, London. The day was dedicated to embracing the values of community, compassion and companionship, which lie at the heart of the almshouse movement, and, on the day, a fourth ‘c’ was added to the theme by the special guest speakers – care.

The event brought together esteemed individuals who shed light on the caring nature of almshouses and emphasized the significance of human interaction. The day was filled with inspiring speeches, informative sessions, and networking opportunities, making it an extraordinary experience for all attendees.

Welcoming the Chairman and Honouring the Award Winners

One of the highlights of the event was the introduction of the new Chairman, Willie Hartley Russell. His appointment marked a fresh chapter for The Almshouse Association, symbolizing its commitment to the future of the organization. His inspiring words resonated with the delegated, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation for the Association’s journey ahead.

Another significant moment was the recognition and celebration of The Almshouse Association Award winners. These remarkable individuals and projects were honoured for their impressive developments, beautiful garden projects, dedication, and hard work. Chair of the Awards Committee, Simon Pott and new Chairman, Willie Hartley Russell presented the winners with Gardens and People and Inspiration Homes certificates and award winner pin badges, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to the almshouse movement.

Liz Fathi steps down as Chair and receives the honour of officially becoming the Association’s first ever ‘Friend of The Association’.

The TAA ‘Friends of’ programme will be officially launched this September giving members and associates the opportunity to join a special group of people helping to preserve the historic value of the almshouse movement and securing its future.

Our Friends of Programme will offer a distinctive array of activities and projects for friends of active involvement, all the while supporting the almshouse movement.

_{Poland Trust, Inspirational Homes Award}

_{Wyggestons and Trinity Hospital Charities, Inspirational Homes Award}

_{Great Shelford Parochial Charities, Inspirational Homes Award}

_{Barnstaple Almshouses, Gardens and People Award}

_{Frances Darlington Charity, Gardens and People Award}

_{Zeals Almshouses, Gardens and People Award}

_{Peter Birtwistle Trust, Inspirational Homes Award}

_{Tibberton Almshouses, Inspirational Homes Award}

_{The Honywood and Douglas Charity, Inspiration Homes Award}

Guest Speakers Emphasising Care

Our distinguished guest speakers from various fields shared their valuable insights, all converging on the importance of care within the almshouse community.

Paul Latham of the Charity Commission shed light on the regulatory aspects, emphasizing the significance of caring practices within charitable organizations. Research Fellow Dr Helen Pooley provided an academic perspective, underlining the positive impact caring architecture has on the well-being of residents. Sir Stephen Bubb JP FRSA, a renowned charity titan, shared his experiences and praised the uniqueness of almshouses and the caring nature that defines all charities.

Our headline speaker, Author and Humanitarian, Terry Waite CBE captivated the audience with his personal anecdotes and insights into his time in captivity, illustrating the transformative power of care in fostering compassion and resilience.

The Q&A that followed his talk could have gone on for hours; so many questions, so humble his manner, and such a huge inspiration to us all.

_{Terry Waite CBE delights the delegates}

A Day Filled with Inspiration and Engagement

_{Panel of Experts answers delegate questions}

Members Day 2023 was brimming with engaging sessions, including Q&A opportunities with experts in their fields, allowing attendees to delve deeper into specific topics. The event encouraged active participation and facilitated networking among the members, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the almshouse community

A special thanks

The Almshouse Association extended their gratitude to the sponsors and exhibitors who supported the event, recognizing their invaluable contribution to its success. Thanks also to Richard Gray for the photography

Additionally, the Association expressed their appreciation for everyone who dedicated their time and effort to making the day truly exceptional.

The Almshouse Association Members Day 2023 was an unforgettable celebration of compassion, community, companionship, and care. With an illustrious line-up of guest speakers, the introduction of the new Chairman, and the recognition of outstanding achievements, the event exemplified the core values that define the almshouse movement. Through inspirational speeches, engaging sessions, and ample opportunities for networking, attendees were left with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the vital role they play within their communities. The event served as a testament to the enduring commitment of The Almshouse Association and its members to creating a better world and seeing almshouses recognised as the exemplar form of community housing.

posted 28 June 2023

New almshouses for Great Shelford

Five years in the planning, Great Shelford’s £4.4M almshouse development is now complete and has welcomed its first residents.

The 21 new homes, a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, are grouped in three curved terraces surrounding a central green. Equipped with air source heat pumps, mechanically ventilated heat recovery systems, triple glazing and high levels of insulation, the homes are designed to minimise energy consumption and keep residents’ running costs low.

“Ever since our initial public meeting in July 2018 at which we outlined the need for further affordable housing in Great Shelford, we have been working closely with villagers and both parish and district councillors to bring this project to fruition. And I would particularly like to thank the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority for their generous grant of just over £1M towards the development cost,”
Sarah Rann, Chair of the Parochial Charities trustees.

Alongside the new development the charity has planted some 250 native trees and laid out allotments, a community garden, footpaths and benches, providing enhanced public access to the 8 acres of land it owns on the northern edge of the village.

The new development brings to 53 the total number of almshouse homes managed by Great Shelford Parochial Charities, providing affordable accommodation for villagers on low incomes and in housing need.

The trustees plan to hold a formal opening later in the year.

Taken from GSVC website news: New almshouses for Great Shelford – GSVC (gspc.org.uk, Sunday February 12, 2023

History of Beeston’s Almshouses, Peckham

posted 16 May 2023 in ARCHITECTURE, HIDDEN GEMS, LONDON, LOOK UP LONDON, SOUTH LONDON by Katie Wignall

Along Consort Road in Peckham you can admire the quaint-looking Beeston’s almshouses. As well as their charming appearance and characteristic almshouse layout, the aspect that really piqued my interest was the shield of the Girdlers’ Company.

Worshipful Company of Girdlers Crest | Look Up London — _{Beeston’s Almshouses}

You can spot more of these in Farringdon (featured on my Clerkenwell walk in my book!)

THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GIRDLERS

The Girdlers’ Company have a recorded history going back to 1327 when King Edward III granted them Letters Patent. This gave them a monopoly over the trade of girdles (making belts and other metalwork) and allowed them to regulate manufacturing standards and see off competitors.

The company’s Arms – granted in 1454 – contains three gridirons, chosen because griddle-iron sounds similar to girdler. Their patron saint is Lawrence of Rome who was grilled to death(!) on a gridiron in AD258.

The church of St Lawrence Jewry by the City of London Guildhall has a gridiron weathervane and the Girdlers’ Company have been associated with that church for centuries.

The name Beeston is a nod to Cuthbert Beeston, a past Master of the Girdlers’ Company who left seven houses to the company in his will of 1582.

Beeston's Almhouses, Peckham | Look Up London

Originally, the bequeathed houses weren’t in Peckham, but at the south end of London Bridge. These were compulsory purchased in 1834 when the Old London Bridge (1209-1831) was being replaced by the John Rennie’s London Bridge (1831-1970).

In the 1828 map below you can see both the new and old London bridges marked across the Thames. The original almshouses were on the south approach to the Old London Bridge.

*_{Image credit: layersoflondon.org – C and J Greenwood 1828}*

The proceeds of that sale funded a two-storey almshouse building in Peckham.

Today they’re home to 20 residents and when the occasional vacancy does appear the criteria is fairly strict, the charity stipulating that the residents shall be “poor persons in the following categories”;

Freemen of the City of London;
Persons who are, or have been, employed in trades akin to that of a Girdler (including workers in metals, leather, cloths and fabrics);
Persons resident in the former administrative county of London, as constituted on 31st March 1965.

The almshouses were built in 1834, designed in a Tudor-esque style with gabled roofs at each end and hexagonal chimneys. Presumably this is a nod to their 16th century foundation and I found the overall effect visually striking and totally charming.

Peckham has a few other notable almshouses. I wrote about the former Asylum and Caroline Gardens chapel after visiting for Open House London.

There’s also more Girdlers’ Company almshouses in Choumert Road. Similar to Beeston’s, they were funded by a past Master, George Palyn in 1610 and were originally in the City before moving further into the London suburbs. You can see photos of them here.

Article from Look up London website posted on The Almshouse Association website on 26 June 2023