The almshouses were built in 1983 by the Michel's Almshouse Charity on land which had been bequeathed to it by William Smethet in 1727. The site, which had been vacant since the late 1950s, had previously been occupied by Benn's Cottages.

The almshouses consisted of five bungalows, four of which were single-bedroomed dwellings. The other contained two studio apartments.

In 1987 Michel's Almshouse Charity became part of the Richmond Charities.

In 2002 the two studio aparments were combined to become a single-bedroom residence.

Current status