What were historical housing facilities for the mentally ill, the elderly, and other needy groups called?

• A. Asylums
• B. Hospitals
• C. Almshouses
• D. Orphanages

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is charitable housing for the poor and aged. Almshouses were institutions funded by donors, often religious groups or wealthy patrons, that provided shelter and a basic level of care for people who couldn’t support themselves—such as the elderly, disabled, widowed, or otherwise needy. They functioned as a humane way to offer housing and some support before modern welfare programs existed. They’re distinct from other options: asylums were intended for confinement and treatment of mental illness; hospitals are medical care facilities; orphanages housed children without parents. That combination of purpose and beneficiaries makes almshouses the historical term for housing facilities for the mentally ill, the elderly, and other needy groups.