An affordable home, in a quiet corner of Moseley.
Our almshouses are set at 271 Wake Green Road in Moseley, a well–established Birmingham suburb with mature trees, reliable buses, and a village feel. The properties are let by the trust to single ladies over the age of 55 whose means are limited and whose character is good.
Not a care home, not a tenancy. Something older and kinder.
Almshouses are one of the oldest forms of charity in England, often older than the Poor Law, the NHS or council housing. They exist to offer a secure home to people who would otherwise find the housing market closed to them — at a contribution set not to make profit, but to keep the buildings standing for the next resident.
Residents at The Gracewell Foster Trust are beneficiaries of the charity. The weekly contribution they pay is a maintenance contribution, not rent. The relationship is governed by the 1978 scheme and by the standards of the Almshouse Association's model framework.
We do not provide personal or nursing care. Our residents live independently. Where additional support is needed, residents are able to arrange it in the ordinary way — through a GP, the local authority, or family.
Buildings that are cared for, quietly.
- Self–contained accommodation in a well–kept setting.
- Repairs, maintenance and grounds–keeping arranged by the trustees.
- Clear written arrangements for residency, in line with the charity’s scheme.
- Complaints and safeguarding procedures, reviewed by the board.
- A community of neighbours in a historic tradition of charitable housing.
Eligibility in plain English.
- You are a single lady — a spinster or widow — aged 55 or over.
- Your financial means are limited, such that an almshouse home would genuinely help your situation.
- You are able to live independently (with whatever support you have arranged).
- You have, or can establish, a reasonable connection to the city of Birmingham.
- You are of good character in the sense the scheme uses — that is, you are able and willing to live considerately with neighbours.
These are guiding points rather than a rigid test. If you are in doubt, please write to us anyway; we can tell you quickly whether it is worth proceeding further.
A simple, private process.
- You (or someone on your behalf) write to us by email describing your situation and why you are looking for an almshouse home.
- A trustee replies with any questions and, if appropriate, an application form.
- If there is a vacancy or one is expected, a visit can be arranged at a time that suits you.
- The trustees consider applications at their regular meetings and write to you with a decision.
We keep a waiting list when there are no current vacancies. Everything is held in confidence.
An honest note on our limits.
The Gracewell Foster Trust is an almshouse charity, not a care provider. We do not offer nursing or personal care, emergency housing out of hours, or short–term lets. If our homes are not the right fit for your circumstances, we will try to point you towards another almshouse charity in the West Midlands or to your local authority’s housing team.
Because the scheme that governs us is specific, we cannot make exceptions to the eligibility criteria (age, sex, means and area of benefit). Please do not be offended if we have to decline an enquiry on those grounds — it is a matter of charity law, not our personal judgement.