Almshouses for the 21st century: transformation in progress

It is appropriate that this Viewpoint should be no.100 as almshouses are the oldest form of community-led housing, pre-dating other social housing by many centuries. Today there are 30,000 almshouse bungalows, cottages, flats and houses in villages, towns and cities. Almshouse charities have much to offer their local communities in meeting housing need with existing and new provision, but their role is not always understood. This Viewpoint draws on Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)’s programme of almshouse research since 2017, to; explain the distinctive contribution that almshouse charities can offer their local communities, outline the extent and characteristics of almshouse provision, explore partnerships, governance and management initiatives that are helping to transform almshouse provision for the 21st century, identify case studies of new almshouse developments, including working with local authorities, and a Community Land Trust, provide local authorities, commissioners and other professionals with ideas and examples for working with almshouse charities, to meet housing need and complement local strategies for housing, care and support, and consider the direction of travel towards 2030 and beyond.