WIREDGOV

MHCLG are providing up to £1million of the Cold Weather Fund to Homeless link to administer funding to charitable organisations that are not commissioned by local authorities. The project’s overall aim is to financially support local providers in helping rough sleepers off the streets this winter.

What types of organisations do you fund?

We will fund frontline organisations who are working to help end rough sleeping, who can demonstrate how grant funding will reduce rough sleeping and offer longer-term solutions from rough sleepers accessing these shelters, by supporting moves into accommodation, and sustainable longer-term accommodation for those moving off the streets. Applicants much be registered charities/CIOs.

What types of activities do you fund?

Proposals must demonstrate how they will help end rough sleeping.

Grants must be for one or both of two purposes:

1. To provide additional accommodation to rough sleepers during the period 1st December 2019 to 31st March 2020. By additional we mean additional to what is already being commissioned by the local authority. This can be either shelter beds or other accommodation.
2. To enhance the support provided in or complementary to existing commissioned shelter beds to reduce the level of returns to the street for rough sleepers accommodated in shelters and to help secure long-term move-on from shelters.

As part of this latter strand we will consider applications for training and workforce development or provision for Day Centres to extend provision to integrate services with local shelters, personalised budgets for rough sleepers or similar activities that enhance the quality of support provided in shelters or the chances of achieving good move on outcomes from shelters.

Bids should seek to offer longer-term solutions for rough sleepers accessing shelters, by supporting moves into accommodation, and sustainable longer-term accommodation for those moving off the streets.

Bids will be strongly prioritised if they seek to provide support for specific groups such as vulnerable women, LGBT, couples, or pet owners.

Note – this grant is not to fund services commissioned by local authorities but you will need the support from your local authority for your bid in the form of a letter or email.

How much can I apply for?

You can apply for a grant up to £25,000

Larger grants up to £50,000 may be considered for projects working across multiple authorities.

Key dates

The grant application window will open on Monday 14th October 2019 and close on Friday 6th December 2019.

Grant applications received by 31st October 2019 will be considered in an initial round.

All successful awards must be spent by the 31st March 2020.

How will funding decisions be made?

Each application is assessed on its own merit according to the criteria published in the application guidance. The grants panel will consist of a Homeless Link SMT member, MHCLG representative(s), and an independent person, and be chaired by a Homeless Link trustee.

Further info

If you have an enquiry that is not covered in this application guidance, you can send your enquiry to fund@homelesslink.org,uk, please insert Cold Weather Fund Enquiry as your email subject and provide your organisation and contact name.