News


Secrets of Essex almshouses

Bestowing unique and charming, yet affordable housing to the elderly for 1,000 years, Denise Marshall takes a closer look at the historic significance of the humble almshouse. Published in the June 22…

Scheme Manager

…the Charity Responsibility for certain health and safety and fire safety procedures and records Be alert to potential Safeguarding cases working with the Clerk, and raise online safeguarding reports to…

Rural Housing Week

…in property prices is likely to lead to a reduction in affordable housing in rural areas. It seems ironic, but as many affordable housing is created through a levy on…

Rules on holding AGMs and other meetings

…Commission of these changes.   Wherever possible, it is still hoped that members will be able to submit their annual returns online. However, if Trustees have an imminent deadline and

RSL rent cap set at 7.7%

…apply to Registered Providers’ weekly maintenance charges, non-registered provider almshouse charities may want to use the information for information/ guidance purposes. Please also see our guidance here: https://www.almshouses.org/news/wmc-specimen-outline-budget-2024/ posted 4…

Royal Vice Patron presents Patron's Awards

…left £100 to buy land for their longer term benefit. Visit https://hamunitedcharities.org.uk/400th-anniversary/ to find out more. Following this, HRH visited two residents’ homes and walked through the award winning gardens…

Round&About: Wokingham news

…of your almshouse charity, highlight the benefits of almshouse living and showcase the good work of your trustees and staff, please do get in touch via gerryharmon@almshouses.org. posted February 2023…

Risk Assessment online training

35 mins | CPD accredited |IOSH approved This online Risk Assessment training is designed to help organisations comply with Health and Safety regulations, as well as learn to and carry out structured risk…

Responding to MP letters

Question time in Parliament is bringing to the fore the increased government focus on the Social Housing, Affordable Housing and Private Rented Sector. MPs are seeing a rise in complaints…

Residents celebrate 90yrs with tea party

…thanks for sending in your story Donna, looks like you all had a fantastic day! To have your almshouse story posted on our website, please email karenmorris@almshouses.org posted 12 September…

Resident Liaison Coordinator Vacancy

…of applying, and would like to know more, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Clerk by emailing clerk@georgefenthamtrust.org.uk, who will also be able…

Research Project

…as part of this important piece of research. If you have any queries regarding our research, please get in touch with Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org . Posted 13 Jan 21…

Research funding awarded to ARC

…450 years old and we know the difference that this housing model makes to our residents. We are delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate this and be part of…

Rent Cap Consultation

…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…

Registered Providers Network Meeting

…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…

Registered Providers Network

…any suggestions for discussions at future meetings, then please get in touch with Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org. A recording of the session can be found here. Posted 26 May 22…

Regional Meetings

…your experiences and success stories with this new process. If you have any feedback or suggestions for improvement, please don’t hesitate to reach out to gerryharmon@almshouses.org. Your input will help…

Read all about it!

…– 3rd Jan 2020 The Telegraph – 4th Jan 2020 The Mail online – 6th Jan 2020 The Telegraph Letters Page – 6th Jan 2020 Note: The Association does not…

Progress report from Buchanan Trust

…Forces Community. If you wish to learn more about future Buchanan Trust projects, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Trust at https://www.buchanan-trust.org.uk/ posted 4 May 22…

Press Release: Nottingham Community Almshouse Charity

…Commission on the approval of revised schemes Design and architectural services Procuring funding. To contact NCAC, please email gemma.debrito@ncha.org.uk or HWBusinessDevelopment@ncha.org.uk Image above: NCAC-PR-22-015 William Woodsend Memorial Homes February 2023…

Policy & Governance update: September 20

…where applicable. Please find below our September 2020 Summary. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Government Announces Funding For The Affordable Homes Programme – The Government announced £12 billion…

Policy & Governance update: June 21

…the result of local authorities being told to prioritise securing 25% of their affordable homes allocation as First Homes from developer contributions before proceeding to consider alternative models of affordable

Policy & Governance update: July 21

…where applicable. Please find below our July 21 Summary: Affordable Homes Update The Government continues its drive for home ownership under new “affordable” homes scheme as First Homes. Purchasers of…

Policy & Governance update: July/August 20

…who can demonstrate that the contractor will start work on cladding remediation by 31 March next year Online forms must be completed by 31 December 2020 to be considered Trustees…

Policy & Governance update: January 21

…the regulator but provide warning and consideration for all almshouse charities. Members may be interested in the focus on “Quality of Stock” which many will be familiar with. We know

Policy & Governance update: April/May 21

…Grade II* listed almshouse in Sherburn House Charity in Durham, which was helped by a grant from the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme. Housing Ombudsman publishes Business Plan 2021-22 – The…

Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21

…the public if the risk level increases. Consider asking people to work from home. Previous Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update:…

Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21

…instances of anti-social behaviour or domestic violence still remain in place. More information can be found here. Previous Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | (almshouses.org) Policy…

Policy & Governance update: 01.11.21

…full strategy can be found here. Previous Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update…

Policy & Governance: latest developments

online or by telephone Reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission Keeping people safe It is also worth noting that the Charity Commission’s contact centre remains open Mon – Fri,…

Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update

…be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-housing-decarbonisation-fund Community Housing Fund Opens – The long awaited £4 million fund to increase community led affordable homes has opened. The Community Housing Fund Revenue Programme 2021…

Policy & Governance: 31.01.22 update

…indoor events, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls. RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance: 17.01.22 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 29.11.21 update | Policy & Governance…

Policy & Governance: 29.11.21 update

…Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update: 16.08.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy &…

Policy & Governance: 02.08.21 update

…standards for new homes, increasing the supply of affordable homes, including supported housing, and accelerating the adaptation of existing homes by improving the efficiency of local authority delivery of the…

Planning Update from Panel Consultants Robinson & Hall

…this consultation can be sent via the online link (https://consult.levellingup.gov.uk/planning-development-management/permitted-development-rights-consultation) or via email to PDRconsultationsummer2023@levellingup.gov.uk Please note that local planning authorities have the right to withdraw Permitted Development Rights and

Planning for an Affordable Future

……..Support Almshouses – Community-led, Truly Affordable Housing For Your Community…… Is Boris’s new white paper, “Planning for the Future”, good news for those needing affordable homes? In sentiment, it looks…

Pass it on - Remember a Charity

and improve their almshouses. The almshouse movement is growing and becoming a significant part of the response to the affordable housing crisis across the country with 36,000 people living in…

Part time Liaison Officer - Davenport Almshouses, Solihull

…friendly and supportive team environment Fully paid DBS Part-time working Contact Details Please reply in writing by email with CV to Julie Grenfell – Property Manager jgrenfell@davenportalmshouses.org.uk Tel: 01564 773407…

Partnership ensures completion of Calderdale almshouse refurb

…said. Kate McNicholas, Calderdale Council’s Assistant Director of Economy, Housing and Investment, said the “spectacular” almshouses are part of Calderdale’s heritage and provide much-needed, affordable homes to local people. “It’s…

Panel Member invites members to free webinar

Virtual Charity Training: The essential trustee and governance in practice – Thursday 14 July 2022 – Zoom Webinar Stone Kings writes: We have developed our training programme to equip charity trustees…

P&G update: 31.10.22

…seeing the government provide greater support for genuinely affordable housing. Mr Sunak has 7 Almshouse Association members within his constituency and so we hope that he will be aware of…

P&G update: 30.11.23

…to be the last major financial change before the next General Election.   The announcement of an additional £3bn for the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme, which can be accessed to finance…