Emma Ball And Rolason Almshouses
Charity 246857
Overview
Summary
Emma Ball And Rolason Almshouses appears to be a small, place-based housing charity whose role is to provide stable, low-income accommodation for older people rather than broader care or support services. Its model combines a general age-and-income eligibility focus with a historic preference for eligible members of a New Church Society. This suggests the organisation sits at the intersection of affordable later-life housing and a particular faith-community legacy.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Handsworth
Confidence: high
BCOP’s current official independent-living page identifies Emma Ball Homes as six almshouse flats in Handsworth. This matches the charity’s current Charity Commission reporting, which says its principal activity is operating six almshouses in Birmingham. The evidence supports a single, neighbourhood-based housing scheme rather than a wider direct service footprint.
- BCOP official website, Independent Living page
Lists “Emma Ball Homes” in Handsworth, comprising six one-bedroom flats, and states that these homes are almshouses whose residents are beneficiaries rather than tenants. - Charity Commission accounts and trustees’ report for Emma Ball and Rolason Almshouses, year ended 31 March 2024
States that the charity’s principal activity is running six almshouses in Birmingham and that it continued to operate six owned units. - BCOP official website news item, 18 May 2026
Reports newly installed external signage at Emma Ball Homes, providing current corroboration that the scheme remains an active BCOP-managed site.
Remaining uncertainties
- The public evidence identifies the scheme as being in Handsworth but does not provide a current full operational address; no more precise location has been inferred.
- The Charity Commission records Birmingham City as the charity’s area of operation, but this is a broad reporting category and does not establish direct delivery across Birmingham beyond the six-home Handsworth scheme.
- BCOP is the charity’s sole corporate trustee and manages the homes. This is a material operational-management relationship, but available evidence does not show that BCOP’s wider Birmingham housing network forms part of this charity’s own operational footprint.
- A corporate trustee address is treated as an administrative or correspondence address, not evidence of an Emma Ball and Rolason Almshouses service site.
Additional evidence needed
- A current property schedule, annual report, or official allocation document explicitly linking the Emma Ball Homes site to the charity and confirming its location at an appropriate geographic level.
- Official evidence of any additional Emma Ball and Rolason Almshouses properties or services outside Handsworth, if these exist.
- Confirmation from BCOP or the charity of whether its operational activity is limited to the six Handsworth almshouse flats.
Areas of work
- Accommodation/housing
Who they help
- Elderly/old People
How they help
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Housing is the organisation's core intervention
The charity appears to address financial vulnerability in later life through the long-term provision of one-bedroom homes, rather than through grants, advice, care or time-limited support.
Why it matters
This clarifies its distinctive civic role: its contribution is likely to be durable housing security for a narrowly defined group, making the condition and availability of its accommodation central to its impact.
Show evidence
“The charity provides one-bedroom flat accommodation for elderly persons with low income.”
Source:Organisation“Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space.”
Source:Charity Commission
It serves an older population with both age and income constraints
The organisation appears designed for people experiencing two intersecting forms of disadvantage: later-life housing need and limited income. The minimum age threshold of 60 makes it more targeted than a general affordable-housing provider.
Why it matters
Understanding this dual threshold helps distinguish the charity from organisations serving older people generally; its likely value lies in preventing or easing housing insecurity among a specific low-income older cohort.
Show evidence
“To provide almshouses for poor persons of not less than 60 years of age.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity provides one-bedroom flat accommodation for elderly persons with low income.”
Source:Organisation
A faith-linked preference may shape access without fully defining the charity
The preference for qualified members of a New Church Society suggests a historic relationship with a faith community, while the wording indicates this is a preference rather than an exclusive eligibility requirement.
Why it matters
This may affect who knows about, applies for, or feels connected to the charity. It is therefore important for understanding potential referral networks and whether access is experienced as broadly civic or community-linked.
Show evidence
“Preference being given to members of a New Church Society who are qualified as aforesaid.”
Source:Charity Commission“To provide almshouses for poor persons of not less than 60 years of age.”
Source:Charity Commission
- The number, location, condition and affordability of the flats are unknown.
- It is unclear whether residents receive support beyond accommodation or how referrals and allocations operate.
- There is no evidence about demand, vacancies, resident demographics or the practical effect of the faith-linked preference.
Remaining uncertainties
- Information on property numbers, tenure terms, rents or charges, occupancy and waiting lists.
- The allocation policy, including how low income and the New Church Society preference are assessed.
- Evidence of partnerships with local housing, health, social-care or older-people organisations.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
The charity provides one-bedroom flat accommodation for elderly persons with low income.
Charity objects
TO PROVIDE ALMSHOUSES FOR POOR PERSONS OF NOT LESS THAN 60 YEARS OF AGE, PREFERENCE BEING GIVEN TO MEMBERS OF A NEW CHURCH SOCIETY WHO ARE QUALIFIED AS AFORESAID.