CEO Blog: What about the Affordable Housing Crisis and our young people?

We so often hear about the “housing crisis” as if it is a given fact. I was walking with a friend the other day and we were discussing a large housing estate that has had popped up on the horizon. “Well he said,…. we do need more houses – there is a housing crisis after all!” I looked at the group of very smart – no doubt ‘executive’ 4 or 5 bedroom houses and wondered what bit of the housing crisis these were addressing! I doubt it’s the affordable housing crisis for single and older people.
The Chartered Institute of Housing found that 280,000 social rent homes have been sold, converted to higher rents or demolished since April 2012, while just 70,000 new social rent homes have been built*.
I know it must be right and fair to help young people own their own homes as this prevents the rent trap that many are facing, but there still needs to be a proper affordable rental option offering decent, community driven homes, where people who are unable to buy can remain and have a good home in their communities.
It is clear that many affordable homes are sold or partially sold under Right to Buy, which accounted for the loss of 120,000 council homes, but how will we build our stock of decent affordable homes for the future if they continue to be sold?
I believe there is room for a wider variety of almshouses reflecting today’s younger people in housing need, helping them stay and work in their communities. Why almhouses? They are charities run by local trustees for local people in housing need and importantly they are exempt from the Right to Buy. These could provide an accessible option for young families or even intergenerational living. The almshouse model, although over 1,000 years old, has always been adaptable and can provide life changing opportunities to communities across the country,
Let’s tell it how it is … there is a housing crisis but it is very much an affordable housing crisis and no amount of new executive homes on the open market will change that.
Nick Phillips CEO | The Almshouse Association

*Source: Insider Housing publication 29 Mar 21

Nick Phillips CEO Linkedin

Posted 30 Mar 21

Government to end Green Homes Grant

The Government has announced that the final day for applications to the Green Homes Grant will be March 31^st 2021.

Any members who have secured funding through this route will still have their vouchers honoured but no new requests will be accepted after March 31^st.

The Almshouse Association is disappointed by the Government’s decision in this case as the grant represented a great opportunity for our members to do the right thing by becoming more eco-friendly. The sudden removal of the scheme means that a number of members will now struggle to find support for green initiatives which would help their residents. We hope that almshouse charities will be able to access the additional funding designated to Local Authorities.

The Government must produce an effective, long-term fund which can help those both within the almshouse movement and beyond.

Posted 30 Mar 21

Policy and Governance update: April 21

Each month, the Association posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact / requires action from our member charities, with links to further information where applicable. Please find below our Mar/Apr 21 Summary.

Property and Planning

Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises consultation -DCMS has published a consultation – closing 11 June – on improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises in the UK. Through this call for evidence, DCMS wants to hear views and experiences of consumers’ broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas of the UK. Members may wish to consider responding if they have difficulties accessing good quality broadband for work and for residents.

Health and Safety

Shielding – As of April 1^st, it will no long be necessary for clinically extremely vulnerable people in England to shield.

Taxation and Finance

Budget 2021 – The Chancellor made a number of announcements as part of this year’s Budget. Most notable for almshouse charities will be the extension of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit payments which will last until September. Eligible Working Tax Credit claimants will also receive a one-off payment of £500.
National Minimum Wage – The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage will increase from April 1^st, with the National Living Wage being extended to 23 and 24 year olds for the first time. The NLW will now be £8.91.

Coronavirus

You can find all our Coronavirus updates here

30 March 21

A day in the life of a trustee

Hilary Livingstone has been a trustee of the Eleanor Hirst Trust since 2016.

Hilary was born and brought up in Huddersfield. She is a retired civil servant, having worked at several government departments starting at the Department of Employment, now the Department of Work and Pensions, where she was a Benefit Office Manager working all over West Yorkshire.

After five years she joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office latterly dealing with administration of Embassies/High Commissions in South Asia and Afghanistan.

Hilary moved down to live in Buckinghamshire where she was employed by Buckinghamshire County Council Social Services as their Court of Protection Receiver managing the Receivership Department dealing with clients who, because of mental incapacity, were unable to look after their own financial affairs. These clients were often victims of financial abuse, so Hilary worked closely with local police and solicitors.

After a varied and successful career, Hilary retired to Wilshaw with her husband, Ian, in 2011.

Becoming a trustee for the Eleanor Hirst Trust has been a fulfilling role. Hilary was aware of the historical significance of almshouses prior to joining the Trust and felt compelled to get involved in such a community led housing model that supports local people in housing need.

The Eleanor Hirst Trust owns six Grade II listed almshouses in the village of Wilshaw, West Yorkshire. At present there are 10 residents in six two bedroomed almshouses.

The almshouses are dated 1871, by John Kirk of Huddersfield, for Eleanor Hirst of Wilshaw. They are built in beautiful hammer dressed stone with pitched slate roofs with gable copings and barge boards, and tall stone stacks to each gable. They are all two storeys.

At the first floor level there is a central round arched plaque inscribed:

“A.D. 1871. These almshouses were erected by Eleanor Hirst the beloved wife of Joseph Hirst of this place, in loving remembrance of Mary, their deeply lamented and only child whose love and sympathy for the poor when living. These houses are intended for the aged and destitute a fitting memorial to an affectionate daughter who was always ready to add comfort to those in want and declining years.”

Hilary mentions that she was asked by a previous trustee, who was retiring, to join the board and she felt it was such a compelling and worthwhile cause that she couldn’t say no!

The almshouses that Hilary supports are for the poor and elderly of the local area. This criteria was defined in the Will of Eleanor Hirst.
As a trustee Hilary works closely with the chair to enable the smooth running of matters relating to the almshouses. Usually this involves maintenance and day to day running of the almshouses as well as making sure the residents have whatever they need. Hilary comments,

“I have close contact with the residents, which is lovely. They ring when they have a problem which we address as soon as we can.”

From a pastoral side the trustees are always informed if anyone goes into hospital or has health issues etc. Hilary continues,

“We always make sure there is a bunch of flowers from the trustees in times of trouble, which is appreciated. It’s the personal touch that I love about being a trustee of an almshouse charity. You get to know the residents and hear all their fascinating stories and histories. ”

The challenges that the trustees face are making sure repairs etc., to the almshouses are carried out in a timely manner to alleviate any concern and worry for the residents. This is a priority.

Hilary mentions that her motivation for being a trustee is making sure the residents are happy and identifies the key benefits of almshouse living as having a community spirit that is integral to the health of residents. She comments,

“Some of the residents have been with us for many years. They say they enjoy the social discourse ‘up the avenue’ and are very happy in their little community.”

900th anniversary for St Mary Magdalen Hospital

St Mary Magdalen Hospital was due to celebrate its 900th anniversary in 2020 but had to postpone due to the pandemic. Trustees are hoping to be
able to reconvene festivities this year and are planning a wonderful celebratory day at Castle Park in Colchester later in the summer.

Michael Siggs is Clerk of St Mary Magdalen and a number of other charities too, so all being well, it will be an incredibly special
day for the almshouse movement.

“We are all ready to start enjoying the longer evenings and the welcome of spring. Now that everyone has had their vaccinations we are looking forward to a return to some ‘normality’ and the excuse for a party is welcomed!
Here in Colchester we have had our fill of plagues and civil wars! 2020 was to have been a celebration of ‘900 Years of Mercy’ but we had to cancel. Our jabs may give us hope that on July 17/18 we can combine our celebrations with the beginning of the end of Covid 19 as well as the 75th anniversary of The Almshouse Association.

We also lost friends and neighbours in 2020, not necessarily to Covid 19, but were not able to remember them at funerals. Perhaps we will also be able to raise a toast to their memories in the formal part of the celebrations.”
Michael Siggs, Clerk of St Mary Magdelene

APPG report on loneliness: Association comments

The CEO of The Almshouse Association welcomes the recent report published by the APPG on Loneliness.

“From our research and that of others it is clear that everyone needs a warm and safe home, but more than that they need a friend and something to do that engenders pride. Almshouses are a 1,000 year old housing model that takes neighbourliness to its heart.”
Nick Phillips, CEO The Almshouse Association

It seems from both this recent independent review and other reports that we have come to recognise loneliness as a debilitating factor. It is this aspect that was highlighted in the almshouse study undertaken by the Whiteley Foundation for Ageing Well that suggested that small scale communities can help people live longer. It seems that the forefathers of today’s almshouse movement had this in mind and although an ancient model of housing its strength is often put down to the fact that the design and spirit of almshouses encourages, promotes and enhances neighbourliness.

The almshouse movement provides homes to over 36,000 people, but more are needed as there are not enough to satisfy the high demand not just for low cost homes in the community but for the added value of small scale community run housing.

Nick Phillips goes on to say “Almshouses are built with compassion and supported with companionship. Whilst they can be considered as a small provider in the UK’s housing world that are available specifically to those in housing need, they make a vital contribution to the affordable housing stock in Britain and it is heart-warming to hear the great bonds of friendships that develop around the courtyards and gardens of Britain’s almshouses. We are working hard to ensure that more almshouses continue to be provided for those in housing need”.

Posted 25 March 21

Councils granted more freedom

Councils can provide greater support to new almshouses through Right to Buy

The Almshouse Association welcomes the Government’s announcement granting more freedom to local councils on how they spend funds raised through Right to Buy. Local councils can spend the money raised on housing which is at affordable and social rent level, something which The Almshouse Association believes should be used to help develop new, genuinely affordable almshouses.

By choosing almshouses, local councils can help contribute to national housing targets of providing 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s and also ensure that there is a permanent source of genuinely affordable housing in their community. There is growing momentum to see greater levels of truly affordable housing, particularly for groups such as key workers. We must use this momentum, and greater funding to provide a new generation of affordable homes, with almshouses at its heart.

Posted 24 March 21

Webinar recording: Working practices in almshouse charities

90 members logged in for an Almshouse Association webinar on 23rd March 21 with Ros Hammond, Director and Founder of Employment Law in Action employment issues faced by almshouse charities.

The webinar covered:

considerations for engaging employed vs self-employed individuals
the challenges in respect of working hours and ‘on call arrangements’
how to review salaries in accordance with your structure and market value.

If you were not able to attend or would like to recap on all the topics, please click in the buttons below to view a recording and powerpoint slides of the webinar.

Webinar Recording: Working Practices in almshouse charities – click here

Powerpoint Slides: Working Practices in almshouse charities – click here

Posted 23 March 21

Government guidance on pets

Almshouse Association Response to New Government Guidance on Pets

The Government recently announced a new template tenancy agreement which can be use by landlords in the private rented sector.

The new template states that private landlords cannot have a blanket ‘no pets’ policy and that they must consider allowing well behaved pets. This guidance is not applicable to almshouses as they make use of licences, not tenancy agreements, however, following discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, we have received confirmation that it is expected that almshouses would follow the spirit of the guidance and consider allowing pets on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE: It is not a requirement to allow pets in all circumstances, such as the property not being appropriate for pets, but this decision should be fair and justified.

As part of this process, members may wish to consider:

Whether your almshouse dwellings could practically accommodate a pet
The benefits which allowing a pet may bring to residents, this could be achieved by consulting with residents for their opinions
If necessary, updating your Letter of Appointment and Resident Handbooks to include clear guidance on pets
If your charity does choose to allow residents to keep pets, we would recommend having a policy in place which requires residents to have plans in place (e.g. a named contact person) should they no longer be able to look after their animals themselves.

Posted 23 March 2021

9 new purpose built homes set to be completed in 2021!

Thomas Parsons Square residents to benefit from move to purpose-built bungalows

Thomas Parsons’ Charity has been granted planning permission to build nine purpose-built bungalows for residents on land the charity owns on Deacons Lane in the Cathedral City of Ely in the heart of Cambridgeshire to be named ‘Chorister Court’.

The bungalows, which are set to be finished by autumn 2021, will replace the current almshouses at Thomas Parsons Square in the city and will help residents stay in the accommodation for longer.

The Thomas Parsons’ Charity almshouses at Thomas Parsons Square were built in 1884 and originally comprised of 30 units. In 1961 the Charity started to modernise the almshouses, enlarging the accommodation by amalgamating two or more units in to one.

The new bungalows have been designed so that residents can maintain their independence with step free access, convenient internal layouts and high levels of insulation. The almhouses will also come with digital and satellite TV, broadband connection and storage for electric chairs and buggies with charging points.

The decision to relocate residents was made following a long-term review by the governors of the charity, after taking advice from The Almshouse Association. They deemed that, because of its Grade II Listed status, the existing almshouses could not be adapted to help residents maintain their independence for as long as possible. The scheme will provide six one bedroom and three two bedroom single storey units with gardens.
Chorister Court is located adjacent to the Charity’s other almshouses at Bamford House and Deacons Lane Bungalows meaning that all of the Charity’s residents will be in one location, where there will be 25 units in total. This will benefit the residents who will be in a close knit community.
Thomas Parsons Square will be retained by the Charity and a decision on its future use will be made in due course.

David Brand, Chairman, of the Thomas Parsons Charity, which was founded in 1497, said:

“The governors all felt that building new almhouses that were specifically designed for older people would greatly benefit residents and the fact is we could not do that with Thomas Parsons Square, because of the constraints of the building having listed status. The residents needs are of paramount concern to the governors of Thomas Parsons Charity and we look forward to welcoming the residents to the new almhouses once they have been completed.”