Housing Pathways Trust

Housing Pathways Trust, a historic almshouse charity rooted in seventeenth-century principles, drives community transformation by enabling those in need, hardship, or distress—especially older people—to reach their full potential through affordable housing, targeted grants, and neighbourhood support. Core values of professionalism, honesty, teamwork, solutions-focus, and adaptive heritage underpin a philosophy of responsive, place-based grantmaking that empowers grassroots organisations to build resilience, foster connections, and deliver measurable social benefits via authentic local partnerships and community-led interventions.

Thematic priorities centre on elderly care via affordable almshouse accommodation and supported housing for people over 55 facing poverty, isolation, hardship, or distress, alongside general needs social housing preventing homelessness and promoting stable living. They fund community projects strengthening bonds through allotment spaces encouraging healthy living, outdoor activities, and social cohesion for isolated elderly residents and disadvantaged families. Grantmaking supports small voluntary groups tackling social disadvantage with initiatives like befriending schemes, peer support groups, day services enhancing wellbeing, advocacy for older adults in crisis, and community development activities addressing food insecurity, carer support, and neighbourhood resilience. Valued interventions include preventative housing solutions, person-centred accommodation fostering independence, community-led resilience-building, and holistic approaches integrating housing with local wellbeing services for older people excluded by housing insecurity or complex needs.

Exclusions encompass large-scale capital projects, unrestricted funding, and non-local initiatives lacking neighbourhood ties; resident-specific urgent needs funds are separate from community grants. Distinctive as a dual social landlord and grantmaker, they prioritise grassroots organisations serving older adults over 55 in historic local boroughs, with deep-rooted stewardship of assets for age-inclusive facilities, collaboration with local partners, and emphasis on community participation, inclusion, and sustained thriving over top-down aid.