About our charity

The trustees and officers

Currently the Mrs de Lannoy & Haven Homes Almshouse Charity is governed by a board of ten trustees: two ex officio and eight nominated trustees. The ex officio trustees are the vicars of the Ecclesiastical Parishes of St John the Evangelist, Crowborough, and All Saints Church, Crowborough. Both of the current incumbents have delegated their office to another competent person.

The nominated trustees are appointed under the provisions of the Charity Commission Scheme as revised in 2017. Each of the trustees is appointed for a period of four years, with new trustees being appointed by the existing trustees (see the list of current trustees and officers).

The charity also has two unpaid officers, a secretary and a property manager. The trustees and officers meet four times a year and from time to time undertake and review key issues by way of sub-groups. Each resident is allocated a trustee visitor and each property has a trustee overseer to ensure that the properties are always fit for purpose. The treasurer and chairman are appointed annually as are the two officers.

In ensuring that the charity runs efficiently, our policies are in line with the Charity Commission and Almshouse Association’s guidance. As part of this requirement residents are also given a Residents Guide that is reviewed and re-issued annually.

The residents

Residents need to fit the criteria as set out in the charity’s objects. Age and current status, together with living within the area of benefit, are all aspects assessed when considering an application for an almshouse property. If you feel that you would wish to be considered for an almshouse when availability permits, initially please write to the hon. secretary, who will correspond with you when a property becomes free. [See contact details]. At that point the trustees ask you to complete an application form, after which, if you meet the criteria, you will be asked to attend a meeting with one or more trustees and at the same time invited to view the property in question.

Once accepted, residents will be expected to live independently, and pay a monthly contribution, well below the normal market rental rate. What you will need to bear in mind is that while the charity undertakes to maintain the property to a good standard both internally and externally, as a resident you will also need to fund your council tax, as well as energy costs, telephone and internet charges, together with replacement of white goods [initially white goods will already have been installed] as well as furnish the property. The trust will cover the cost of water charges and insuring the property, although you will be recommended to take out insurance on your personal effects. As further support to residents the trust will also fund the personal monitoring safety equipment.

Under the Charity Commission Scheme the charity is able to prioritise applicants of the Protestant Faith.

On taking up accommodation the resident will sign an agreement letter, be allocated a Trustee/Visitor, and given a Resident’s Guide to living in the almshouse.