The Consolidated Almshouse Charity of Swanscombe: Creating affordable homes in Kent

“I love my new home. Before, I didn’t know where I was staying from one week to the next.” Read how the Consolidated Almshouse Charity of Swanscombe is changing the lives of vulnerable adults.

Social Need

House prices have increased rapidly over the last decade, which has pushed up the cost of rent. More than a third of adults now find it difficult to afford their rent or mortgage payments. For those on benefits, the situation is even more difficult. In the South East, just 11% of available housing is affordable for people on housing benefit.

Organisation

The Consolidated Almshouse Charity of Swanscombe has been providing affordable homes for vulnerable people for more than 100 years. However, it’s a small charity, and by 2015 owned just four properties, of which only one was occupied. A new trustee board wanted to grow the charity to increase the number of homes it could offer. They renovated the existing properties, bought an additional bungalow and purchased a piece of land with the aim of building three new homes.

Loan

The pandemic saw the cost of building materials rocket, which meant the almshouse charity could no longer afford to build the new homes. Undeterred, the trustees approached Charity Bank for a £300,000 loan. Charity Bank were happy to agree the loan and also helped to arrange a grant for the charity.

Impact

The three new bungalows were completed in December 2024. Built to a high standard, the homes include underfloor heating and solar panels. As with the existing homes, they have been offered to vulnerable people aged 55+ who have a connection to the village.

However, the new properties are not only benefiting the residents, they’re also bringing in an extra £26,000 a year for the Consolidated Almshouse Charity of Swanscombe. The trustees will use the money to develop more properties and secure the charity’s future.

“Charity Bank took the time to understand what we were seeking to achieve. They offered us suggestions and solutions, and they really got behind us. Having that small, tight-knit support team at Charity Bank was amazing. It felt like we were their only customer.”

Glen Keeling, Chair of the Consolidated Almshouse Charity of Swanscombe

“I love my new home. It’s fantastic. It’s got everything I need and there’s plenty of room. I’ve made it mine. I was born and bred in Swanscombe, but I was here, there and everywhere for 10 years before this. I have three daughters and three grandchildren. Before, I didn’t know where I was staying from one week to the next, so I only used to see them in the street, but now my youngest daughter and my mum both have keys and I’ve had so many visitors. It’s brilliant living here.”

Terry, a new resident who was previously homeless