Preventing Homelessness

Invitation: Shaping the Future of VCFS Homelessness Services

Jason Marriot - MHCLG, Rough Sleeping Adviser

Jacob Dimitriou - MHCLG, Faith & Communities, Rough Sleeping Adviser

Rick Henderson - CEO, Homeless Link.

The Government’s National Plan on Homelessness is a comprehensive strategy aimed at ending homelessness and halving long-term rough sleeping in England. It includes a range of measures to prevent homelessness, delivered through cross-government collaboration.

The strategy launches the £37 million Ending Homelessness Communities Fund for Voluntary, Community, and Faith Sector (VCFS) organisations for 2026–2029, following the conclusion of the Winter Night Shelter Fund. The criteria for this competitive grant outline changes for the VCFS, including day services and night shelters.

We invite CEOs, Day Service & Night Shelter Managers, and Fundraising colleagues from South London to an in-person discussion with the MHCLG and Homeless Link to explore how we can work together to prevent homelessness within the context of this new strategy and funding.

(Organisations wishing to apply for EHCF will need to bid competitively and applications must be for new or distinct activity, not a continuation or duplication of what was funded through the NSTF. Local authority support will be a crucial factor in funding decisions. All potential applicants are encouraged to work with their local authorities ahead of the EHCF prospectus launch to identify gaps in provision aligned with the priorities of the National Plan to End Homelessness. Housing Justice)