The UK Government has launched a new Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund (EHCF) aimed at strengthening the role of voluntary, community and faith organisations in preventing and reducing homelessness.
The fund forms part of the national plan to end homelessness and recognises the critical role that community organisations play in supporting people experiencing housing insecurity, rough sleeping and hidden homelessness.
Applications open 23 February 2026 and close 31 March 2026 at midday.
What is the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund?
The fund provides £36.7 million nationally to support community-based services tackling homelessness.
Funding will support organisations delivering services between 2026 and 2029.
Annual grants of £50,000 to £200,000 are available and organisations can apply for:
• Revenue funding for staffing, service delivery and operational costs
• Capital funding for buildings, equipment and infrastructure
• A combination of both
Overall, the programme will include up to three years of revenue funding and one year of capital funding.
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Why the fund has been created
The fund supports the Government’s national commitment to reduce long-term rough sleeping and strengthen prevention.
Nationally, partners have identified several challenges driving the programme:
• Increasing complexity of support needs
• Persistent rough sleeping and repeat homelessness
• Demand for improved community day services
• A need for stronger prevention and recovery support
The programme also builds on the previous Night Shelter Transformation Fund, but shifts focus towards longer-term prevention and recovery rather than emergency provision.
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The role of the VCSE sector
The programme places a strong emphasis on the voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) as a key partner in tackling homelessness.
Community organisations often build trusted relationships with people experiencing homelessness and can reach individuals who may not engage with statutory services.
The national strategy recognises that these organisations play a vital role in:
• Preventing homelessness before it escalates
• Supporting people experiencing rough sleeping
• Helping people rebuild social networks and support systems
• Delivering trauma-informed and person-centred services
Community organisations can also support people in temporary accommodation, those at risk of eviction and individuals experiencing hidden homelessness.
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Expected outcomes
The fund aims to deliver several outcomes nationally, including:
• Reduced numbers of people sleeping rough
• Better access to community-based support services
• Increased capacity and capability in the VCSE sector
• Stronger partnerships between community organisations and local services
• More people supported to sustain independent living
Partnership with local authorities
A key requirement of the programme is working closely with local authorities.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that their proposal aligns with local homelessness priorities and includes support from the relevant council.
The guidance encourages organisations to:
• Engage early with local authorities
• Identify gaps in local homelessness support
• Develop collaborative proposals with local partners
This reflects a wider shift towards system-wide approaches to homelessness, where statutory services and community organisations work together to deliver support.
Why this matters for Leeds
Leeds has a strong network of organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness, including charities, faith groups, housing providers and specialist VCSE services.
Many organisations in the city already work closely with partners across health, housing and social care, recognising that homelessness is often linked to wider challenges such as mental health, substance use, trauma and poverty.
For the Leeds VCSE sector, the fund presents an opportunity to:
• Strengthen community-based homelessness support
• Expand day services and recovery programmes
• Develop partnerships with local authorities and health services
• Support prevention work across neighbourhoods
With increasing emphasis on neighbourhood health and integrated support, initiatives like this could also strengthen collaboration between the VCSE sector, NHS services and local government.
Key dates
Applications open: 23 February 2026
Applications close: 31 March 2026 (midday)
Assessment will take place during April and May, with funding decisions expected in June 2026.
Successful projects are expected to begin receiving funding from July or August 2026.
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Support for applicants
The programme is being supported by sector partners including Homeless Link and Housing Justice, who will provide guidance to organisations considering applying.
Further details will be published in the official grant prospectus on GOV.UK.
Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund information
https://www.gov.uk
Applicants will also be able to access support from sector organisations including:
Homeless Link
https://www.homeless.org.uk
Housing Justice
https://housingjustice.org.uk
