Almshouses into the next millennium - Paternalism, partnership, progress?

This report was written by Jenny Pannell, Visiting Research Fellow at the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of the West of England, Bristol and Caroline Thomas, a housing consultant.

It considers what role almshouses may play in current and future housing and welfare provision.

It examines and discusses the strengths and weaknesses, problems and opportunities  of almshouses as a form of housing provision.

Although there are a number of books on the historical and architectural aspects of almshouses, this is the first to explore their role in housing provision and social policy.

It is of particular interest to housing professionals and policy makers seeking to maximise the use of housing stock to meet the need for housing in local communities.