Voluntary and Community Frontline Sector Grant: 2025 to 2026
Funding to support the essential work of the voluntary and community sector to deliver a sustained reduction in homelessness and rough sleeping.
Applies to England
The government is committed to supporting the homelessness sector’s workforce and is providing £3.7 million funding in 2025 and 2026 to extend the Voluntary and Community Frontline Support Grant.
This is an extension of the £7.3 million funding provided for the Voluntary and Community Frontline Sector Grant between 2022 to 2025.
In 2025 and 2026 this grant will continue to be delivered in collaboration with 3 sector experts:
- Shelter
- Homeless Link
- Housing Justice
It offers the workforce a comprehensive programme of support in 4 distinct areas (referred to as lots).
Lot 1: Increasing the capacity and capability of the sector
Shelter will offer an enhanced training programme, accredited qualifications, skill development opportunities, and access to specialist information and resources covering a comprehensive range of housing and homelessness topics. This provision will empower frontline staff and volunteers to build their capacity, skills, and knowledge.
This offer is available to frontline sector organisations in England that deliver:
- housing and/or homelessness advice
- debt and welfare benefits advice to improve housing situations
More information is available on Shelter’s website.
The funding allocation to Shelter for delivering Lot 1 in 2025 to 2026 is £1,663,004.
Lot 2: Delivering specific support to help frontline workers resolve individual cases
Shelter will provide one-to-one advice service to frontline sector organisations in England that deliver housing and/or homelessness advice.
This advice service will support professionals and volunteers in resolving individual cases. It can be accessed by phone or webchat, Monday to Friday between 8am to 5pm (except bank holidays).
Please note, this service is exclusively for professional and volunteer use and will not offer advice directly to the general public or to individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
More information is available on Shelter’s website.
The funding allocation to Shelter for delivering Lot 2 in 2025 to 2026 is £986,900.
Lot 3: Enabling stronger local strategic partnerships
Homeless Link will foster and support collaborative efforts between the voluntary and community sector, local public bodies, and local authorities to address homelessness challenges. By adopting a partnership approach, Homeless Link aims to help overcome barriers within local systems.
More information is available on Homeless Link’s website.
The funding allocation to Homeless Link for delivering Lot 3 in 2025 to 2026 is £648,984.
Lot 4: Developing the faith and community sector
Housing Justice will offer a comprehensive training and best practice support programme for the national night shelter network. This will include accreditation for community organisations and shelters, as well as the development of faith and community capabilities. Additionally, Housing Justice will help these organisations to establish connections with statutory services.
More information is available on Housing Justice’s website.
The allocation for delivering this programme is £474,972.