TV Licensing – Dispensation for the Queen’s Funeral

The Almshouse Association has received the following communication from the BBC representative for TV licensing

Good afternoon,

We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Her Majesty was the embodiment of public service.

We know that many communities may wish to come together and observe the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen and so the BBC is providing local communities a TV Licence dispensation. The dispensation will allow any communal setting where TV is not usually watched, such as town halls, community centres and libraries across the UK, to screen the live programmes without needing to purchase a licence. 

We want to reach out to communities and those who are making arrangements to let them know that the dispensation is in place and therefore we welcome your support in making your service users aware.

By law, if live television or BBC iPlayer is viewed on any premises, those premises must be covered by a valid TV Licence. However, in exceptional circumstances, the BBC can grant a dispensation for the temporary viewing of television, so long as the viewing is for the sole purpose of screening an event which is judged by the BBC to be of national importance.

As the BBC Board has said, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a unifying figure across generations, communities and borders, who represented the very best of our nation. We are grateful at the BBC to have witnessed, recorded and shared so many of the special moments in her long life and reign. She will always be remembered with the greatest affection and admiration.

If you need any further information to help you to support your clients, if you have any queries or if you would like to know more please contact me.

Dan Cooper
Senior Communications Specialist | TV Licensing
daniel.cooper@bbc.co.uk

Posted 12 September 22

HM The Queen Elizabeth II

The Almshouse Association board of trustees, staff and members, are deeply saddened by the death of the Queen.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the Royal Family who have been such a consistent inspiration through their uplifting patronage of The Almshouse Association and the wider almshouse movement.
The Queen’s devotion and selfless commitment to public service, will continue to be an example to us all.

On Monday 19th September 2022 The Almshouse Association office will be closed as we pay our respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Government outlines support on energy bills

Prime Minister Liz Truss has outlined the support that the government will provide to help with the spiralling costs of energy.

This package includes:

  • Suspending green levies on energy bills
  • Capping household bills to £2500 per year for the next two years
  • Providing the £400 energy rebate
  • Equivalent support will be offered to those on heat networks
  • A fund will be established to support charities with their energy costs this winter, offering an equivalent guarantee for the next 6 months

The Almshouse Association will continue to study the details of this package and will look to ensure that all almshouse charities are able to access the support they need this winter.

Further support is likely to be announced later this month when the Chancellor is due to deliver a ‘fiscal statement’.

Posted 8 September 22

Topping Out Ceremony at Girton Town Almshouse Charity

New High For Almshouses At Dovehouse Court

A Cambridge charity celebrated reaching a significant milestone in the building programme for its new almshouse development in Girton, with a Topping Out ceremony held on-site in May 22.

Representatives from Girton Town Charity, Barnes Construction, Northmores and Mole Architects assembled for the symbolic placement of the final ridge tile on one of the buildings to signify the completion of the build phase.

The next stage will be the installation of all the internal fixtures and fittings over the forthcoming six months, including electrics and plumbing. The project is on schedule with a completion date before the end of the year.

Dovehouse Court, which will comprise 15 almshouses and a new office for the charity, is being built to stringent Passivhaus standards. This results in low energy costs and improved indoor air quality, all made possible by installing energy-efficient windows and doors, with stricter levels of airtightness,  mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, as well as high levels of building insulation.

Ann Bonnett, Chair of GTC said:

“It is excellent news that we have finished the build phase at Dovehouse Court and have marked the occasion with a Topping Out ceremony. The teams working on the project will now be focusing on the internal aspects of the build. In addition to welcoming back residents who lived in the former bungalows on the site, at the beginning of 2023 we will also be inviting applications from Girton residents over 55 or those who have a close connection to the Village, with the plan to implement a series of phased appointments in the early months of the year.”

Mark Hart, Joint Managing Director, Barnes Construction added:

“We are delighted to have reached this significant stage in our project at Dovehouse Court and are now working on the next phase leading to completion of these energy-efficient almshouses. I’d like to thank both the consultant team and our own team on-site, including our first Passivhaus Champion Ben Cross, who has ensured we have met all required criteria along the way.”

[Above photo: Topping Out at Dovehouse Court, left to right: Ian Bramwell, Senior Associate, Mole Architects; Jamie Saunders, Director, Northmores ; Mark Hart, Joint Managing Director Barnes Construction; and Marc Bermann, Trustee, Girton Town Charity.]

See also: Girton Town Charity futureproofs village housing | (almshouses.org)

Support during cost-of-living crisis

The Almshouse Association is aware that many of our members are concerned by the current cost-of-living crisis and the impact it is having on residents. These are extraordinary times without a single, clear solution and the Association is working hard to ensure that your voices are heard.

This has included:

  • Continued correspondence and discussions with government, including with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities as well as the candidates for Prime Minister
  • Consulting with our members on a response to the government’s consultation on a cap on the increase of WMC for Registered Providers
  • Writing to Ofgem to call for greater support for charities who are facing higher rates due to being seen as businesses for energy purposes
  • Establishing links with external organisations who may be able to offer additional support and advice to our members or their residents

If you or your residents do need additional support, we have compiled a list of organisations and websites below that you may find useful:

The Almshouse Association is, however, continuing to do all possible to gain help and support for our members throughout these challenging times and, as always, we will post all relevant information as well as news of any developments on our website.

posted 5 September 2022

Starts at Home Day – 2nd September 2022

On this Starts at Home Day when housing associations up and down the land are celebrating supported housing and the positive impact it makes on thousands of lives, The Almshouse Association would also like to recognise the support offered by almshouse charities throughout the UK that are providing homes for over 36,000 people in housing need.

Care and support in the community has been described as a postcode lottery. This can be particularly true in rural areas where residents can feel disconnected from established support networks. This leaves us wondering what happens in these towns and villages when someone hits hard times in their lives?   

In rural areas, almshouses are sometimes the only form of social housing.

Established over centuries, almshouse charities help to support the communities they serve by providing genuinely affordable local housing to those in need. Almshouses ensure the residents not only have a safe, warm roof over their heads, but are also able to remain within their community. This can make a significant difference in helping people to find their feet when things haven’t gone to plan, providing the support to retain their independence.  

Maintaining and expanding this provision of supported housing is vital if we are to ensure that people who need extra support will always have a safe home that meets their needs.

This is a pressing need across the country, but particularly in our rural communities which do not benefit from a concentration of services within easy reach.  To do this we need a broad spectrum of support – from government, both local and national, to new benefactors who want to help in their local area and local volunteers who can become trustees. Collectively, these groups can continue the tried and tested almshouse tradition into the future, providing support to create new homes in disconnected areas and breathing new life into existing charities.  

This Starts at Home Day, The Almshouse Association is proud to champion the work of our members up and down the country, yet we know that we must continue to call for greater support. Supported housing, such as almshouses, makes a fantastic contribution and helps to save the government money.

Recent research showed that almshouses alone provide over £40m in annual financial benefits.

This contribution shows the great value that investment in this vital sector can bring. It is crucial that we proactively promote this work as we endeavour to secure the support it rightly deserves.    

Almshouse Association members that would like to get involved and ensure the longevity of the almshouse movement could look to invite their local MP to visit their almshouse or write a letter to them. If you need any help with this, we have a template letter on our website you may wish to use (click here).

Members of the public wishing to offer support to either their local almshouse or the almshouse movement can get in touch with The Almshouse Association at www.almshouses.org and we will put you in touch with your local charity.

posted 1st September 2022

Celebration for Alderman John Landers at Exeter Church Charities

The chairman and trustees of Exeter Church Charities held a special celebration at the Lethbridge almshouses on Friday 15th July, to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to honour and celebrate 25 years’ service by Alderman John Landers as a trustee.

One hundred guests attended the garden party which was blessed with warm weather. Residents, representatives from other almshouse charities, members of Alderman Lander’s family and many friends all shared and enjoyed the day. Honoured guests included Alderman Landers and his wife Stella, The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Yolonda Henson and her Consort, Mr David Henson.

The chairman of Exeter Church Charities, Alderman Norman Shiel opened the proceedings with a warm welcome and, paying tribute to Alderman Landers, he reminded the assembled guests that Alderman Landers had been the dynamic leader of Exeter City Council for most of the 1980s. Reminiscing on his personal qualities, he said that Alderman Landers was

‘a person totally committed to the greater good of the community he served.’

He also recollected that, in the Council Chamber, Alderman Landers

‘was someone who could be totally disarming with his sharp wit but, at the same time, embrace you with the warmth of what he followed on to say’.

The Lord Mayor was then called upon and spoke kindly of 50 years of friendship with Alderman Landers. She acknowledged him as a kind and sincere man, who had been part of the inspiration for her own political views. Alderman Landers responded with a word of thanks and then, assisted by some of his greatgrandchildren, took part in a mulberry tree planting ceremony.

Another of the Trustees, the Reverend Simon Austen said a prayer of thanks for Alderman Landers’ many years of service to the community and asked for God’s continued blessing on his life. He also quoted from Jeremiah ch 17 in the Bible

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

He presented a New Testament and Psalms to Alderman Landers, which is the first of a 1,000 copies to be distributed by Good News for Everyone (formerly the Gideons) later in the year; this was particularly poignant, as Alderman Landers was involved with the local Scout movement in his earlier years, having also been a King’s Scout himself.

The Surveyor and Clerk to the Trustees, Mr Andrew Crossley, then took the opportunity to individually thank the property team for looking after the Charity’s properties so well and the Lord Mayor presented each of them with a small gift from the Trustees. The assembled throng sang a hearty rendition of the National Anthem and Alderman Shiel proposed a toast and three cheers for her Majesty the Queen. This was swiftly followed by a toast to Alderman Landers and three more mighty cheers. Mrs Ann Bird and Ms Christine Bye then presented two beautiful bouquets of flowers on behalf of the Charity’s residents to the Lord Mayor and Alderman Landers.

Once the formal parts of the proceedings were brought to a close by the Chairman, the guests were cordially invited to partake in a sumptuous buffet lunch, including a good variety of quality sandwiches, sausage rolls, quiches and cakes, all washed down by more cold glasses of prosecco and jugs of sparkling elderflower cordial.

Alderman John Landers was a councillor representing the Pinhoe ward for over 40 years and made great contributions to the City of Exeter, particularly during his time as the Leader of Council and also the City’s Mayor in 1976. In addition, he has served as a governor of Exeter School for over 30 and as a governor of St Nicholas Primary School for many years, representing the Catholic community. Exeter Church Charities is a collection of smaller Exeter Charities, with 18 almshouses on two sites: Lethbridges and Flayes.

Rent Cap Consultation

The Government has opened a consultation on a proposal to introduce a cap on rents in the social housing sector and although they refer to a ‘rent’ cap, almshouse charities who are Registered Providers of Social Housing (RPs) would also be effected.

The consultation has been launched in light of the cost-of-living crisis which has seen inflation rise significantly, with the prediction for September to be over 10%. Almshouse RPs are normally allowed to raise their WMCs by CPI + 1% each year, this would likely result in an increase of at least 11%. Combined with increases in other bills this is not seen as a viable option and so a reduced cap is being recommended for the coming year.

The consultation proposes a number of options for the cap:

  • Do nothing and allow increases of CPI +1%
  • Cap at 3%
  • Cap at 5%
  • Cap at 7%

The Government has noted that it would prefer a 5% cap to allow RPs to continue their normal operations without causing further financial hardship on residents. In light of current pressures, The Almshouse Association is likely to recommend that all members, including non-RPs, use the agreed cap when setting WMC for the coming year.

The Almshouse Association is considering the proposals and will be responding to the consultation. We would welcome the input of our members in this process. Members who wish to provide feedback can do so by writing to Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org.

The consultation is open until 11:45pm on 12 October 2022, however, if you would like to contribute to the Association’s submission, please do so by Friday 30th September

Details on the consultation and resources on the proposal can be found here. 

posted 31 August 2022

Registered Providers Network Meeting

The Almshouse Association’s Registered Providers Network met on 24th August 2022 to discuss the challenges facing this section of our membership.

The agenda included:

  • Challenge of decarbonisation
  • Cost of Living
  • WMC management

We would like to thank all members for participating; it was encouraging to get such a good turnout. A recording of the session can be found here for anyone not able to attend or would just like a recap on the discussions that took place.

If you have any suggestions for future meetings, please do get in touch via jackbaldan@almshouses.org.

Posted 25 August 22

Association secures access to £800m fund for decarbonisation

Following extensive discussions, The Almshouse Association is pleased to announce that the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) will now be open to all almshouse charities.

The fund is due to re-open this Autumn 2022 with £800m in funding to help raise as many properties as possible to EPC Band C. In total, the fund will provide £3.8 billion over a ten-year period. Previously, the fund was restricted to Registered Providers of Social Housing, however, after continued engagement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Association was able to achieve changes to the next round of funding to allow registered charities that own social housing to bid directly into the fund. This marks the most significant funding currently available for retrofit projects that is available to almshouse charities.

To bid for funding the project must meet the funds eligibility criteria which includes:

  • A minimum of 100 eligible properties at EPC band D-G (Note: If you have less than 100 dwellings you will need to join a consortium with other charities, your local authority, or a housing association)
  • Properties must reach EPC band C or D where this is not possible on band F/G properties
  • Bidders must be able to co-fund 50% of total eligible costs

The Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator is backed by Government and has been established to help guide applicants through the bidding process. If you are interested in bidding, the Accelerator will be able to offer the best advice on how to create a successful bid. More details can be found here.

The fund is next due to open this Autumn 2022, although, the announcement may have come too late for many members to create a suitable bid. There will, however, be further opportunity to bid as the fund is due to reopen subsequently.

Full guidance on the fund can be found here.  

Posted 22 August 2022