Hofje

A hofje (diminutive of 'hof', 'court') is a Dutch word for a courtyard with almshouses around it.

A hofje provided housing for elderly people (mostly women).

They were privately funded, and served as a form of social security.

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 was most likely inspired by the (older) Begijnenhofjes—groups of small houses inhabited exclusively by religious women.