An almshouse is a charitable housing provided to people in a particular community, especially during the Middle Ages. It is a unit of residential accommodation, usually a house or flat, which belongs to a charity and is provided exclusively to meet the charity's purposes, such as the relief of financial need or infirmity. Almshouses were historically established to provide housing and health care to people of limited financial means and were often targeted at the poor, elderly, and distressed individuals. They were originally formed as extensions of the church system and were later adapted by local officials and authorities. Almshouses generally have charitable status and aim to support the continued independence of their residents. They are often splendid historic buildings with fascinating features such as dedications, statues, inscriptions, coats of arms, clock towers, and sundials
. Almshouses are also known as bede-houses, poorhouses, or hospitals, and they have been established in various countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United States. While almshouses have declined in number in the United States during the mid-20th century, they continue to provide subsidized accommodation, often integrated with social care resources such as wardens
. The history of almshouses dates back to medieval times when religious orders cared for the poor. Originally called hospitals or bede houses, they provided hospitality and shelter. The oldest almshouse foundation still in existence is thought to be the Hospital of St Oswald in Worcester, founded circa 990. Almshouses became more urban in character during the Victorian era, as housing became a huge social problem due to migration to towns for work. Wealthy philanthropists endowed almshouses, generally for their local area and in groups of 6-12 dwellings. It is estimated that some 30% of current almshouses were founded during this period
. In summary, an almshouse is a form of charitable housing historically provided to support the poor, elderly, and distressed individuals in a community, and it continues to serve this purpose in various countries today
