Almshouses

An almshouse is a housing charity. Our Almshouses provide homes for single women who are over 60 years old, are in financial and social need but are capable of living independently.

Our Almshouses are a small community of eight self-contained flats nestled around a lovely courtyard garden at the heart of central London – an oasis of calm in a busy Covent Garden.  Each resident lives in a private flat and is free to come and go as they please.   Everyone knows each other, everyone looks out for each other.

The homes are spread over ground and first floors.  Each flat comprises of a living room, bedroom (one flat is a bed-sitting room), fully fitted kitchen, bathroom with walk-in shower and gas central heating.  All are equipped with kitchen appliances, carpet, blinds and other furniture is brought in by the resident.

We refurbished most of the flats during 2019, with new kitchens and bathrooms and carpets.  They look very bright and modern.  We celebrated this at our annual Garden Party.

The St Giles Almshouses does not have any communal spaces, except the garden.  It does not have a warden on site, although a Careline alarm service is in operation.

Yes, you can apply to be considered if you:

  • are a single woman
  • are over 60 years old
  • are in financial and housing or social need
  • have lived or worked in the area of benefit for at least 10 years (but not necessarily currently)
  • have no significant debts (credit cards, loans or other)
  • are able to live by yourself (and anticipate continuing in good physical and mental health for the next two years)
  • have the right to live in the UK.

Unfortunately, we do not accept pets.

If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the above, then please download the Expression of Interest Form.  Or ask for one to be posted to you and send the completed form back to the charity.  We accept Expressions of Interest for the almshouses at any time.

If you meet our eligibility criteria, then you will be added to the waiting list.  You may be at this stage for a long time, as we do not often have vacancies.

If you are not eligible or need accommodation more urgently, then contact the Almshouse Association who will be able to advise you of other almshouses in London and nationally.

When a flat becomes available, we invite everyone on the waiting list (and sometimes on the housing list) to complete a full application form.  Based on the information provided, the Trustees will select a small number with highest need to progress to the next stage, this includes home visits.

For a full description of the application process, please read our Selection Policy.

Gallery of the Almshouses