Hofje
A hofje is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it. They have existed since the Middle Ages. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A hofje provided housing for elderly people (mostly women). They were privately funded, and served as a form of social security. In the Netherlands there are still a number of hofjes in use. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Hofjes are usually built in a U-shape with a yard or garden in the middle, and a gate as entrance. The shape of hofjes in most likely inspired by the (older) Begijnenhofjes -- religion-based women communities. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Usually a distinction is made between the Begijnenhofjes, and 'regular' hofjes. The first ones were used only by (Catholic) women, who where supporting themselves. They were a sort of cloister. The latter however were more charitable institutions. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ To be eligible to live in a hofje one had to meet four criteria: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the 18th century there were hofjes founded for commercial purposes; the habitants would pay rent. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Cities with many hofjes in the Netherlands are: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dutch: Dutch usually refers to:... Almshouse: Almshouses are charitable housing provided to enable people (typically elderly people who can no longer work to earn enough to pay rent) to live in a particular community. They are often targeted at the poor of a locality, at those from certain forms of previous employment, or their widows, and are... | ~ Table of Content ~
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~ Related Subjects ~Housing (1) - Rent (1) - Community (1) - Dutch (1) - Almshouse (1) - Charitable (1) -~ Community ~
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