At the end of the 19th century, following the loss of their almshouses in Britannia Place, the Armourers and Brasiers Company acquired buildings in Peckham to rehouse the almspeople.

The substantial block of three buildings, known as Camden Houses, had been built in 1866 as 'free residential houses' by Daniel Cronin, a wealthy landowner of the parish. The almshouses were located behind the row of houses on Camden Street, and accessed through a driveway off Camden Avenue. Initially, they had accommodated 12 aged people who, through misfortune, had fallen into reduced circumstances. Applicants had to be aged 60 or over, be residents of Camberwell, and possess an income of not less than £25 and not more than £40. No inmate was to receive parish relief. Unmarried men were ineligible for admission. At least six of the residents had to be members of the Church of England. When a person was nominated, two householders were required to give an undertaking in writing that they would see to the decent burial of the applicant.

After their purchase by the Company, as before they accommodated 13 poor aged men and women of the Company, as stipulated in the will of Dame Elizabeth Morys.

In 1917 each resident received a weekly stipend of 15 shillings (75p) from the Company.

The almshouses closed some time after WW2 (1939-1945).

Current status