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You can apply for a flat if you are aged 57 or above, in financial hardship, and are able to live independently
Vacancies
If you are interested in applying for a flat, please read the information and guidance below.
If you then wish to apply for a flat, please complete an application form via the link below. If you would like to be sent a copy of the application form, please contact the Policy and Operations Officer (Almshouses) on 0204 511 6301 or almshouses@merchant-taylors.co.uk.
Please note, in order for a couple to qualify for a flat, both people must be aged 57 or over. Both people also must complete a separate application pack.
Guidance for Interest Applicants
Before completing the application form, all applicants are required to read the Guidance for Interested Applicants
Criteria
Aged 57 and above*
Limited financial assets
Ability to live independently**
*The flats are suitable for both single people and couples. In order to qualify for a flat, both members of a couple must be aged 57 or over.
**Boone's Homes flats are provided for those who are capable of independent living. Merchant Taylors’ Boone’s Charity does not provide any nursing or personal care and there is no warden. Where a resident requires assistance from Social Services to enable them to continue to live independently, then they are responsible for arranging, and maintaining these services, with the relevant agencies.
Information for applicants (Almshouse Availability)
The Trustees of the Merchant Taylors’ Boone’s Charity appoint residents for Boone’s Homes.
When the Trustees have vacancies at Boone’s Homes they will award the almshouse flat on an in-need basis, bearing in mind the circumstances of the candidates being interviewed.
Whilst we run an Expressions of Interest list, when there is a vacancy, the vacant flat is rewarded to the applicant who is most in need, not the applicant who has been on the Expression of Interest list for the longest.
Completing an application form
Once a completed application form has been received, the applicant will be assessed and placed on the Expression of Interest list according to their level of housing need. Applicants with higher priority scores may be placed above those already on the list. If the list reaches its maximum capacity, those with the lowest scores will be removed to maintain the cap.
Applicants who are removed will receive formal notification explaining the reason—typically due to higher-priority applicants—and will be invited to update and resubmit their application if their circumstances change.
Completed Application Forms
Once you have completed an application form, please either email it to almshouses@merchant-taylors.co.uk or post it as follows:
Merchant Taylors' Boone's Charity
Merchant Taylors' Hall
30 Threadneedle Street
London
EC2R 8JB
Interview for almshouse accomodation
When a vacancy arises, the five highest-scoring applicants on the Expression of Interest list will be shortlisted and invited to interview, based on their assessed housing need.
In addition to these five, Boone's Homes staff may, at their discretion, invite other applicants to interview, even if they do not fall within the top five by score. This allows for flexibility in cases where an applicant may have exceptional or complex circumstances not fully reflected in the scoring system.
When a flat becomes vacant, those shortlisted applications will be contacted to confirm continued interest and invited to view the flat. The applicants will then be interviewed in their current accommodation by two members of staff. Following this meeting, applicants will be informed whether they will be offered the flat, remain on the list, or be advised that the accommodation is not suitable for their needs.
Our Accommodation
Christopher Boone’s Court is designed to facilitate residents’ changing needs as they age. Each floor can be accessed via lifts and all flats are wheelchair accessible
Events and Activities
There are also lots of opportunities to get involved in the active community through a regular programme of residents’ social events
Current Residents
Information, useful contacts and emergency details for residents at Christopher Boone's Court