St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity is undertaking a funding pilot to explore what helps people stay in the homes they have, and to improve housing stability.
The fund offers grants of up to £10,000 to organisations supporting people who are at risk of losing their home. Each organisation receives a block grant, which they can award in smaller grants of up to £500 per person, as and when the people they support need it.
The focus is on early intervention rather than crisis support, giving frontline workers and the people they support the flexibility to decide what will make the most meaningful difference to maintaining their accommodation.
Organisations also receive a small contribution to help cover the time and resources needed for reporting and learning, and to support frontline staff to use the fund effectively. Through this pilot, we aim to understand not only what works to help people stay in their homes, but also how flexible, responsive funding can be delivered in practice.
What the fund can be used for
Research and engagement with frontline workers shows that people often need practical support that is hard to fund, such as essential household items, equipment to manage a home, transport costs, digital access or one-off costs that help them access local services and networks.
Grants must be linked to sustaining accommodation, and recipients must be receiving support through which their personalised needs are identified. The fund cannot be used for rent in advance, deposits, ID, storage, relocation costs, or ongoing bills, as these are covered by other programmes like our emergency grants programme.
The Sustaining Accommodation Fund is currently being delivered in partnership with a range of organisations across the UK, including Extern, Caring in Bristol, The Connection at St Martin’s, West Mercia Women’s Aid, The Bond Board, Start, Maggs Day Centre and Accommodation Concern.
