Supporting Children Experiencing Homelessness: funding allocations
Information regarding the 'Supporting Children Experiencing Homelessness' funding to increase access to support and services for children living in temporary accommodation.
Applies to England
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Details
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is allocating £10.9 million funding in 2025 to 2026 across 61 local authorities in England with the highest numbers of children in temporary accommodation, to increase access to support and services.
This funding is via a top-up to the Homelessness Prevention Grant. Funding allocations have been made using the 2025 to 2026 formula. This funding will be added to the amount in the existing ringfence which requires local authorities to spend at a minimum 49% of their current Homelessness Prevention Grant allocation on prevention, relief and staffing activities. Full Homelessness Prevention Grant allocations, including the Supporting Children Experiencing Homelessness allocations, can be found here: Homelessness Prevention Grant allocations: 2025 to 2026.
Funding is intended to deliver positive benefits for children’s education and health outcomes, whilst considering local need. Recommended interventions include:
- access to basic facilities such as laundry services, Wi-Fi and storage
- assistance with paying energy bills, for food or local leisure facilities
- travel (to keep attending school or travel passes for emergency out of area placements to enable access to existing support e.g. playgroups/ healthcare)
- school uniforms and equipment (for example laptops) to help children access education
- improvement of communal spaces to enable children to complete homework or have play space
- provision of specialist support roles e.g. out of area, attendance, safeguarding and welfare posts
- staff training on managing temporary accommodation (including impacts on education)