News


Worcester charity opens new almshouses

Former Worcester warehouses converted to almshouses The Almshouse Association was delighted to be represented at Worcester Municipal Charities on 13th January for the official opening of four splendid flats that…

Wokingham United Charities in local news

…a block of flats on Peach Street for older, vulnerable people who are unable to buy or afford rental properties in Wokingham. While plough repairs may no longer be a…

Why Derby's almshouses are still important today

Writer for Great British Life, Louise Jones, discovers how Derby’s oldest charity is evolving to meet modern needs and explores why Derby’s almshouses are still important today. Published 21st March…

VCSE Energy Scheme

The Almshouse Association has just been advised by Utility Aid of the VSCE Energy Scheme which will help voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) across England to deliver more…

The Christmas Fund

…Deed states that the gifts should be used to help ‘poor residents’ and since the funds are limited, we ask that member charities that can afford to buy a gift…

Survey shows happy residents

The Hospital of St John the Evangelist and of St Anne in Okeham is believed to be the oldest charity in the county of Rutland, having been established for the…

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

…Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The fund seeks to help raise the energy standards of social housing as part of the government’s plans to reach Net Zero. The fund provides a good…

SHELTER: Press Release - Housing shortage

…number of new homes built.  – 21,600 social homes were either sold or demolished in 2021/22, while only 7,500 new homes were built leading to a net loss of 14,100 homes.  – In the last decade, there has been a total net loss…

Rural Housing Week

…perpetuity by their exemption from Right to Buy. Residents do not pay rent but a Weekly Maintenance Contribution which is below the average rent in the area and helps to…

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…

Providing a safe haven over the centuries

…groups of almshouses dotted around the city. He is taken on a wonderful tour where he meets the residents of a variety of almshouses including young families, nurses from India,…

Policy & Governance update: September 20

…the exemption from Right to Buy which almshouses benefit from. The full Government announcement can be found here. Flood Grant Extension – The Government has announced an extension of the…

Policy & Governance update: 01.11.21

…outlines the government’s plans to reach net zero by 2050. This includes: Funding from April 2022 for heat pumps through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Phasing out new natural gas boilers…

P&G update: 30.11.23

Policy and Governance update – Autumn Statement, Decarbonisation fund, Pension Credit, Social Housing Act, Pets in Almshouses Latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact and/or may require action from…

P&G update: 27.09.23

…from HMRC between 10 and 19 November 2023 Click here for link to full details Net Zero by 2050 PM recommits UK to Net Zero by 2050 and pledges a “fairer” path…

P&G update: 22.08.22

The Almshouse Association regularly 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…

P&G update: 21.11.22

…This funding will be vital in helping housing associations to continue making progress towards their individual net zero targets and will contribute to the government’s ability to meet their legally…

P&G update: 14.11.22

News summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact and/or may require action from our member charities, with links to further information where applicable. GOVERNMENT Guidance for…

P&G update: 13.12.22

…Chief Executives and council leaders and all providers of social housing on ensuring quality in social housing. The letters are available here. RIGHT TO BUY An ambiguous response was received…

P&G update:13.06.22

The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact/requires action from member charities, with links to further information where applicable. Our…

P&G: 17.10.22

News summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact and/or requires action from our member charities, with links to further information where applicable. Government introduces Energy Prices…

New almshouses in Cheltenham

New ecologically friendly almshouses offer more than a roof over residents heads. CEO Nick Phillips attended the official opening of four new almshouses at Jesse Mary Almshouses in Cheltenham on…

New almshouses for veterans

From: Homes England Published 19 January 2022 Set up in 1918 by Robert Buchanan in memory of his son Alan who died in World War I, the Buchanan Trust has…

MP Briefing

…the model of charity which is locally led under defined objectives.  There is a significant risk that this centuries-old, workable, valuable, charity housing model could disappear. Right to Buy: Almshouses…

Live longer – live in an almshouse?

…1,700 almshouse charities gifted in between. We need more! A housing model for local people, exempt from the Right to Buy, in perpetuity for centuries. Where are the philanthropists setting…

King Charles III Coronation Tea Parties!

We have some wonderful photos coming in from our members of their Coronation celebrations! Above and below, residents, trustees, family and guests were joined by the Mayor of Newbury, Councillor…

Housing Policy & Consultations

…are being posted on our website for members’ general awareness. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – New housing developments to deliver nature boost in landmark move.  In a world first, developers in…

Housing Ombudsman: Press release

…They also include individual circumstances such as disability, financial hardship, and health conditions Check net zero plans – Electric heating costs more than gas. If you’re net zero strategy is pushing…

Hospital of St Cross Winchester

“‘On the Dole’ at the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester” by Jack Wilson for ‘Southern Daily Echo’ | 1 Nov 23 The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble…

Heat & Building Strategy Overview

…to meet its net zero targets by 2050. The key takeaways of the strategy are: Intention to phase out the installation of new gas boilers from 2035 by making carbon…

Government's Right to Buy plans

The Almshouse Association Response to Government Plans to Extend Right to Buy Policy Almshouses are established by gifts of charity and run by volunteers. The charity is established to provide…

Girton Town Charity futureproofs village housing

…leading to a sustainable future for the environment locally, nationally and globally. The timber frame panels are made from Spruce soft wood sourced from Scandinavia and manufactured in Welshpool by…

EPCs - Association's Statement on EPCs

…be provided if requested. The Government’s recent White Paper regarding the transition to net zero made a number of suggestions regarding the requirement for social housing landlords to reach EPC…

Council Tax & Spring Budget update 2024

…Right to Buy 5.71 Allowing local authorities (LAs) additional flexibility in their use of Right to Buy receipts – The government will increase the cap from 40% to 50% on…

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…

Condensation and mould: what can we do?

…that of drying clothes in the home, especially over radiators. Condensation can cause mould to form on walls, furniture and soft furnishings such as curtains and can even damage plasterwork…

Christmas Presents Wanted for Grotto on the Go

PRESS RELEASE FROM MUNICIPAL CHARITIES OF STRATFORD-UPON-AVON          Municipal Charities and Escape Arts have partnered together this Christmas to support local Stratford families with their Grotto on the Go project. Working with…

Christmas gifts for 679 almshouse residents!

Every year, thanks to a generous legacy, The Almshouse Association is very pleased to be able to offer Christmas gift vouchers to almshouse residents over 90 years young and this…