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Choosing where to live

Almshouses are a type of affordable housing run by charities. They’re usually for older people with a low income.
Almshouses are run by independent local charities. They provide self-contained, low-cost housing, mostly to older people who have a low income. They often cater to specific groups of people – for example, people who have worked in a certain trade or who have lived in a certain area for a number of years. There are generally a small number of houses grouped together.
Residents pay rent, usually called a maintenance contribution. This contribution, which is usually paid weekly, is often lower than the average rent in local properties rented from a council, housing association or private landlord.
To find out more about almshouses, visit The Almshouse Association.
Almshouses are usually only suitable for people who are able to live independently. In addition, each almshouse has its own eligibility criteria – for example, they may only help people who:
Contact The Almshouse Association for details of current vacancies.
Read our guide Choosing where to live for more information about different housing options.