Croydon Almshouses has bought the St Saviour’s Court sheltered housing on Old Lodge Lane, “marking an important new chapter” for the oldest charity in the borough and its residents.
‘Community’: Croydon Almshouses has taken over a retirement home in Purley
The transfer took effect on October 1, bringing St Saviour’s Court in Purley and Elis David Almshouses in Waddon together under Croydon Almshouses.
Not to be confused with the Whitgift Almshouses in the town centre, Croydon Almshouses trace their history back even further than the eponymous Archbishop, having been founded in 1447 by Elis David (or Elias Davy), a prominent merchant in the City of London, who established a community of care originally centred by Croydon Parish Church.
What was previously known as Elis David Almshouses now has 57 purpose-built flats on Duppas Hill Terrace, “enabling residents impacted by poverty to live with dignity and independence”.
The retirement housing at St Saviour’s Court was built in 2006, originally for over-65s from Southwark. It contains 53 one- and two-bedroom flats over four floors
“While St Saviour’s Court and Elis David Almshouse will each retain their own identity, history and character, they are now part of Croydon Almshouses community,” the charity announced.
Croydon Almshouses has adopted the slogan “Two almshouses. One community” to mark their Purley acquisition. It is little more than a year since Croydon Almshouses disposed of another historic home, Mary Tate’s Almshouses in Mitcham.
In August 2025, Croydon Almshouses’s CEO said of that transfer, “Almshouses are about community, and the transfer to Mitcham Garden Village will embed Mary Tate’s Almshouses further as part of the local community.”
This week, Hayley James, Croydon Almshouses’ chief exec, said this: “‘Two almshouses. One community’ captures what we aim to achieve for our residents: increasing wellbeing, reducing loneliness and enabling people to manage their own lives.”
James said: “Welcoming St Saviour’s Court into Croydon Almshouses is a pivotal moment for us as we double the number of almshouse residents we can support.”
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