The Third Sector Homelessness Fund is now open for applications. This £4.5 million grant programme is designed to help Scottish charities innovate and transform their homelessness services in line with the Scottish Government’s Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan. The fund will run over three years and is being managed by Corra Foundation on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan, which resulted from the work of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, sets out actions for how the Scottish Government, local authorities, the third sector and the housing sector can drive real and lasting change towards ending homelessness in Scotland. The Action Plan includes a strong focus on: preventing homelessness for those at risk; embedding person-centred approaches to service delivery; joined up planning and resources for tackling homelessness quickly; and finding appropriate and settled accommodation.
Significant progress has already been made. In the first year of the Action Plan, 39 of the 49 recommended actions have been addressed with 10 completed (see: annual report). Every local authority has produced a Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan. Through the Housing First Pathfinder over 175 people with multiple and complex needs have been found settled homes with person-centred wraparound support. There is, however, a long way to go.
The Third Sector Homelessness Fund, which forms part of the Government’s £50 million Ending Homelessness Fund, is designed specifically to support third sector organisations as they seek to adapt to the transition that local authorities are undertaking to a rapid rehousing model. The fund is seeking to support projects that trial different and innovative approaches to service delivery, and that are working to build cross-sector collaboration between third sector organisations, local authorities and other statutory services.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said:
“Ending homelessness requires strong partnership and collaboration across government, local authorities, the third sector and the wider public sector.
“Based on the positive progress to change systems and approaches I have seen over the last year alongside the determined effort that is obvious across the sector, I believe the foundations are in place to realise the vision of a Scotland where homelessness no longer exists.
“This new fund will support third sector organisations as they adapt how their services are delivered in line with the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan and in context with each local authority’s Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan.”
ENDS
For further information about the fund please contact Tom Baughan tom@corra.scot 0131 444 4020 and for press enquiries please contact Shelley Gray shelley@corra.scot 07816 509 772
Notes to editors
- Corra Foundation exists to make a difference to the lives of people and communities. We work closely with other charities and funders, communities and policy makers to encourage positive change, opportunity, fairness and growth of aspirations which improve quality of life. Our vision is for a society in which people create positive change and enjoy fulfilling lives.
- One year and multi-year grants of up to £100,000 per annum will be available to Scottish Registered Charities to deliver projects and activities that align with the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan. The fund is now open to applications with a closing date of 24 February. For more information and to apply please visit https://www.corra.scot/grants/third-sector-homelessness-fund/
