A building where poor or elderly people are given free housing and care supported by charitable donations.
From 'alms' + 'house.' Almshouses emerged in medieval Europe as institutions to shelter the destitute, evolving from informal charitable shelters into organized residential facilities by the 16th century.
Almshouses represent one of humanity's first attempts at social welfare—before government assistance existed, private charity created entire neighborhoods just to house the poor. Many still exist today in England and Europe, some over 500 years old.
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