Thrale Almshouses provide housing for women aged 60 plus from Streatham, Brixton, Tulse Hill, West Norwood and parts of Wandsworth. There had been almshouses at Polworth Road since the 1930s, but the homes had become old-fashioned and few people wanted to live there, despite the housing shortage in South London. So the Thrale Charity, which runs the almshouses, spent around £3 million to modernise the attractive old buildings as well as constructing two new buildings to blend in with the older ones.
The result is that there are now 17 brand new homes, up from nine, including two which are adapted for women with limited mobility. Maintaining a sense of community is important at Thrale, and the homes are centred around a tranquil, central garden.
Two of the residents of the old almshouses have returned to live at Thrale and other residents have come from elsewhere in the local area. All are very happy about their new homes.
At the opening, Chuka Umunna was given a tour of the almshouses and buried a time capsule which had been first been placed underground by people living in the old homes at the time of the millennium.
Chuka said, “I was always curious about what these buildings were when I was growing up in Streatham so I am delighted to be here to celebrate the opening of the new almshouses. These are great new homes and I hope all of the residents cherish and enjoy their time here.”
For our part, we at Thrale are delighted that the redevelopment is complete and look forward to providing high quality homes for women for many years to come.
For more information, visit www.thralealmshouses.org.uk
