About the EHA
Another good Sir Barnes Wallis idea.
You might not have heard of us but, for the last fifty-plus years, we have been doing our job of providing affordable housing for people of retirement age who have a connection with Effingham Village .
It was the same story in 1966 as now. Housing was expensive in the south east and different generations of the same family were (or became) separated due to the necessities of modern life. If a village organisation could provide accommodation for ageing relatives to be nearer their children or allow older couples or single people to downsize their accommodation after their children have left home, it would reduce their outgoings and possibly release a big house for family occupation.
Sir Barnes Wallis was a resident of the village and together with others had this idea. This also coincided with the Crossways buildings coming up for sale and the danger was also seen that it could be sold to developers. These buildings included the Almshouses that had been re-built on earlier foundations in 1774 and were important buildings to the village. This was the first effort by the community to preserve the historic and beautiful centre of the village from possible development.
With a public call to action in the village, 60 donations were made to the Effingham Almshouse Appeal which started the process. Council grants were also obtained which were vital in the early days of the start-up. The whole idea was a very brave move by a group who believed in the project. The remainder of the purchase price money was raised by mortgage, but with the high interest rates of the 70s, the repayments nearly brought the whole Association down. It is hard to believe that the Almshouse started as four one room family houses in 1774. The new association converted them into two studio flats which, 10 years ago, were further converted into a one bedroom flat and separate office.
The original plan also proposed that the Almshouse gardens be made into a public garden for the village which the association to this day looks after at its own cost for anyone in the village to use. This area was once the village green.
It was another 20 years before the loans were repaid in full. With the association now on a secure financial footing and able to invest in further properties. The build-up of reserves and our finances, funds the continuous maintenance of the buildings which we upgrade and improve with a long-term eye. This ensures that the properties remain desirable accommodation for the future, while maintaining the ancient character of the village centre near to the church.
To sum up in the words of the original committee; “preservation is worthwhile for its own sake, but it is also in the best interests of those who live in the village.”
Today all this is achieved by a small volunteer committee of local people who are proud of the 16 flats that we manage and let to local people.
For information, please call 01372 450951
You might not have heard of us but, for the last fifty-plus years, we have been doing our job of providing affordable housing for people of retirement age who have a connection with Effingham Village .
It was the same story in 1966 as now. Housing was expensive in the south east and different generations of the same family were (or became) separated due to the necessities of modern life. If a village organisation could provide accommodation for ageing relatives to be nearer their children or allow older couples or single people to downsize their accommodation after their children have left home, it would reduce their outgoings and possibly release a big house for family occupation.
Sir Barnes Wallis was a resident of the village and together with others had this idea. This also coincided with the Crossways buildings coming up for sale and the danger was also seen that it could be sold to developers. These buildings included the Almshouses that had been re-built on earlier foundations in 1774 and were important buildings to the village. This was the first effort by the community to preserve the historic and beautiful centre of the village from possible development.
With a public call to action in the village, 60 donations were made to the Effingham Almshouse Appeal which started the process. Council grants were also obtained which were vital in the early days of the start-up. The whole idea was a very brave move by a group who believed in the project. The remainder of the purchase price money was raised by mortgage, but with the high interest rates of the 70s, the repayments nearly brought the whole Association down. It is hard to believe that the Almshouse started as four one room family houses in 1774. The new association converted them into two studio flats which, 10 years ago, were further converted into a one bedroom flat and separate office.
The original plan also proposed that the Almshouse gardens be made into a public garden for the village which the association to this day looks after at its own cost for anyone in the village to use. This area was once the village green.
It was another 20 years before the loans were repaid in full. With the association now on a secure financial footing and able to invest in further properties. The build-up of reserves and our finances, funds the continuous maintenance of the buildings which we upgrade and improve with a long-term eye. This ensures that the properties remain desirable accommodation for the future, while maintaining the ancient character of the village centre near to the church.
To sum up in the words of the original committee; “preservation is worthwhile for its own sake, but it is also in the best interests of those who live in the village.”
Today all this is achieved by a small volunteer committee of local people who are proud of the 16 flats that we manage and let to local people.
For information, please call 01372 450951