St John’s Foundation invests £5million into upgrading and creating new affordable housing for older people in Bath.
St John’s Foundation is investing £5 million over the next three years to create new almshouses and refurbish existing ones, building on its long-standing mission to support older adults. The project will see up to 15 new safe and affordable homes made available for people aged 65 and over who are facing financial hardship, ensuring they have both a home and a supportive community to live in.
Once complete, St John’s will provide up to 109 almshouses, placing it among the top 2% of providers nationally. The project underlines the vital role that charities can play in their communities in response to today’s housing crisis.
Almshouse concept. Credit: St John’s Foundation
“This is one of the most important and exciting projects in our history. We know how much of a difference almshouses make – not just by providing affordable housing, but by creating a community of friendship and support that reduces loneliness and gives people a stronger sense of belonging and purpose. Older people are at the heart of everything we do, and this investment means we will be able to welcome more people into our community and give them the security of a safe home.”
Catharine Brown, Chief Executive of St John’s Foundation
The new development comes at a time when Bath faces a severe housing challenge. House prices in Bath and North East Somerset are over 13 times the average salary, making it one of the least affordable places to live in the UK. There is less social housing available in BaNES compared to the national average, with more households in temporary accommodation than at any point in the last 20 years. At the same time, the number of people aged 65+ is expected to grow by 15% by 2028. Against this backdrop, St John’s commitment will provide a vital lifeline – safe, affordable homes, built around community and connection.
Almshouse Concept. Credit: St John’s Foundation
“St John’s Foundation has always played a vital role in our city, and this new investment will make a real difference to older people here in Bath, especially at a time when housing is such a challenge here. Creating more almshouses means more people will have the security of an affordable home as well as the support of a strong community. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have for generations to come.”
Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath
The £5million investment also includes improvement works at St John’s Combe Park almshouses, helping to modernise and future-proof these homes so current residents can enjoy warm, efficient and comfortable living spaces.
As part of this major investment, St John’s will be relocating its headquarters from Chapel Court to another of its buildings. 1 Queen Square will now host the offices for the charity, alongside clients of the House of St John’s, a co-working and events space which is operated as part of the charity’s trading company. The space which will continue to offer Bath a unique place to connect, work and celebrate with purpose.
The charity expects the new almshouses to be completed by 2027, subject to planning approval.
About St John’s Foundation
For over 850 years, St John’s Foundation has been changing people’s lives for good. As one of the UK’s oldest charities, it proudly serves Bath and the surrounding area.
At the heart of its work is an almshouse community, where housing is provided for older adults in need. Alongside this, St John’s runs outreach services that help older adults in Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES) live independently for longer. Drawing on centuries of expertise and resources, St John’s now supports even more people in the community by offering direct help to individuals of all ages facing financial crisis.
The charity also works to reduce the Key Stage 2 education attainment gap in the BaNES area, which is the widest in the country. It addresses this by providing specialist support to the children who need it most. Every aspect of St John’s work is grounded in its values of trust, kindness, and courage, and guided by its purpose: to change lives. For good. It is a long-term strategy, but an unwavering one, as demonstrated by more than eight centuries of service.
posted 26 November 2025