The Importance of Almshouses in Suffolk

Dr Alison Pooley and Jenny Pannell will be talking about the importance of almshouses and their contribution to resilient communities. Almshouses have a long history in providing housing for those in need. Drawing on examples from the region, Jenny and Alison will explore the history of almshouses, and their future in providing affordable housing.

Dr Pooley leads the Sustainable Healthy Communities theme within the University’s Suffolk Sustainability Institute and has over 20 years experience in higher education. Before starting her academic career, she was in architectural practice for several years, prior to which she worked as a housing officer in East London. Her current research is focused on equity within housing, including housing for our ageing population, issues faced within the private rented sector and the challenges of retrofitting for a more resilient future. She has been a trustee of local almshouse charities and continues to support developing new charities in the East of England.

Jenny Pannell is an independent researcher, whose work has focused on almshouses for over 40 years. She has carried out extensive research on housing, support and care for older people for a range of funders, and she has a special interest in the future role of the almshouse movement. Jenny was a senior housing manager with social housing providers before moving into independent research and consultancy.