The Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund (EHCF) is a new three-year fund running from 2026 to 2029, provided by the UK Government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

With an investment of £37 million, it represents a major commitment to community‑based homelessness support, reflecting government priorities to tackle root causes and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of rough sleeping.

The Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund aims to enable voluntary, community and faith sector organisations to:

• Increase community‑based support to prevent and reduce the number of people experiencing rough sleeping.
• Enhance or transform existing day support offers through staff capacity, physical infrastructure, service development and partnership working.
• Support individuals to live independently and prevent them returning to rough sleeping.

The fund targets local organisations with strong community knowledge to deliver tailored, locally relevant services that complement statutory support and strengthen homelessness prevention and recovery pathways.

How Much Can You Apply For

Organisations can apply for revenue funding, capital funding, or both as follows:

• Revenue funding: £50,000 and £200,000 per annum for any or all of the three programme years.
• Capital funding: £50,000 and £200,000 for either Year 1 or Year 2 only.

These limits are separate, so an organisation applying for both revenue and capital in the same year may request up to £200,000 for revenue plus up to £200,000 for capital.

Who can Apply

Applications are open to voluntary, community, and faith sector organisations in England with:

• An annual income of under £5 million.
• At least three years' experience delivering direct support to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping.
• A local authority endorsement letter confirming alignment with local homelessness strategies.

Eligible organisational types include charities (CIOs and charitable companies), Community Interest Companies (CICs), Community Benefit Societies, and Parochial Church Councils.

Organisations may submit only one application.

Partnership applications are welcome.

Restrictions

Applications are not accepted from:

• Individuals or sole traders.
• Profit-distributing organisations.
• Companies limited by shares, unless a community interest company.
• Unincorporated groups and organisations.
• Statutory bodies or public sector organisations (eg local authority bodies).
• Organisations primarily engaged in political activity.
• Regulated education sector organisations (eg schools, further and higher education institutions, academy trusts, universities).

The Funding Can be Use For

Grants can be used for revenue costs and capital costs.

Revenue grants can be used for:

• Staff salaries
• Project activities
• Running costs including rent and utilities
• Small-scale refurbishments
• Equipment
• Organisational development (eg workforce capability and capacity)
• Overhead contributions.

Capital grants can be used for:

• Acquisition or upgrading of fixed assets such as land, buildings, and equipment, IT systems, fixtures and fittings.
• Significant enhancement works that go beyond repairs.

How to Apply

Applications open on 23 February 2026 and must be submitted by the deadline of 31 March 2026 (12:00).

Detailed guidelines and how to apply

Contact