Accommodation

The Accommodation 

We have 14 almshouse dwellings at Dunk’s: four bungalows designed for couples and 10 flats suitable for individuals. The properties vary in size, with the smaller flats being studio-sized accommodation and the larger offering one bedroom, with kitchen, bathroom and sitting room areas.  

The Residents

Residents are appointed as beneficiaries of the charity rather than tenants and, as such, pay a weekly maintenance charge (WMC) determined by the Trustees. The Charity invites the residents to a Christmas meal every year, and there are coffee mornings once a month. We issue a newsletter to keep everyone up-to-date with relevant events and developments.

Appointment Criteria

The dwellings are available to local people who satisfy the charity’s criteria. Broadly speaking, there are three main areas that need to be satisfied before applicants will be considered for residency; they must have very strong links with Hawkhurst (i.e. have lived here for some time, have family here, have worked here or attended school here), and they must be capable of living independently. Dunk’s Almshouses is not a residential/care home, nor are we able to provide any form of care over and above our Duty of Care to consider the welfare and wellbeing of our residents. Potential residents will be means tested as part of the application process.

Vacancies

Vacancies occur from time to time and are advertised in the local media, on social media, by means of flyers in local shops, doctors’ surgeries etc, and via a banner displayed along our frontage to the Rye Road when we have a property available. The Trustees also maintain an ‘expression of interest’ list so if you are interested in applying you may do so at any time by contacting the Clerk to the Trustees on 01580 388973 or via email at dunksclerk@outlook.com.

All applicants must complete our application form in full and return it to the Clerk. Applications are considered carefully against the Charity’s criteria, as set down in our governing document, and a shortlist of potential residents is drawn up. Our Welfare Committee then invite shortlisted candidates to interview and to view the property, before making a decision.  

If you would like to be put on the waiting list or would like to apply when a vacancy arises you may download the forms below or request a copy from the Clerk via email at dunksclerk@outlook.com.