New major funding programme to support veterans’ housing needs

NEWS

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust will award grants of £75K to £500K, across four rounds of funding, to projects that contribute to the aims of the Government’s ambition to reduce Veteran homelessness and end rough sleeping.

The Major Capital Grants programme is the latest programme to launch under the Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund. It is open to charities and registered social housing providers (registered social landlords in Scotland), with at least five years’ housing experience. To be eligible for this funding, you’ll also need to show that most of your organisation’s work is with Veterans, or that you have extensive experience of working with Veterans.

Larger grants available

Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund are able to offer larger grants of £500K to £1M for exceptional projects. These larger grants will be subject to additional eligibility criteria, including secured match funding of at least 30% at the time of application. Full details of this additional criteria are in our programme guidance document.

Ensuring your project meets the needs of Veterans

To receive funding from the Major Capital Grants programme, you’ll need to clearly show that your project:

• is needed and is an effective way of supporting Veterans at risk
• was developed with Veterans
• doesn’t duplicate existing provision, but rather fills a gap in support for Veterans
• will support longer-term change, providing a wider impact for Veterans that will last beyond the life of your grant.

Sonia Howe, Director Policy & Comms at the Trust said: “This is an exciting opportunity for organisations to access a significant grant to build new homes that can have positive, tangible impact upon Veterans in need. Projects could focus on either transitional or permanent housing, including Veteran care homes. We’re expecting some big ideas and some truly life changing proposals.”

What’s available?

There will be four rounds of funding under the programme and decisions will be made via a two-stage process.

The fund is welcoming expressions of interest for round 1 now. The closing date for applications is 3 January 2024. Those successful at Expression of Interest stage will be invited to submit a second stage, full application.

Find out more

Full details of this fantastic new programme are available on a dedicated programme page.

There is some useful guidance and resources to get you started, including full eligibility details and a full programme timetable.