The imminent launch of the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund (EHCF) represents a new opportunity for Voluntary & Community Frontline Sector (VCFS) organisations to apply for up to three years of grant funding across both Capital and Revenue streams to support and develop their work supporting people experiencing homelessness. It represents a shift in funding for the Housing Justice shelter network and the wider VCFS. This is as announced in the Government’s new strategy, the National Plan to End Homelessness – you can read the strategy here, including the reference to the EHCF in the executive summary and in Pillar 5.
This fund will invest £37 million in VCFS organisations between 2026-2029. It will make grants available and will operate through a competitive application process following the publication of a prospectus on GOV.UK. Timelines are still to be confirmed but we are anticipating that the prospectus will be launched around 24 February and want to ensure that all potential applicants are aware and are given ample opportunity to prepare a bid.
Note: the EHCF is not a continuation of Night Shelter Transformation Fund (NSTF) and will not provide continuation funding for specific projects previously funded by the NSTF.
This means that any organisations wishing to apply will need to bid competitively and applications must be for new or distinct activity, not a continuation or duplication of what was funded through the NSTF. Local authority support will be a crucial factor in funding decisions. All potential applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to work with their local authorities ahead of the EHCF prospectus launch to identify gaps in provision aligned with the priorities of the National Plan to End Homelessness.
Housing Justice is very keen to support our network in thinking about what they would be interested in seeking funding for in their localities, so please do reach out to them to start these conversations and note these key events in the coming weeks that will help facilitate such conversations.
Monday 2 February, 11am-12:15pm – Government Homelessness Strategy online webinar, register here: National Plan to End Homelessness Tickets, Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite.
Wednesday 11 February, time TBA – Housing Justice EHCF online webinar, registration opening soon.
Tuesday 24 February – anticipated launch date of the EHCF prospectus.
Thursday 26 February, 9am-12:30pm – in-person London forum event at The Foundry which will include an Overview of the EHCF and workshop and surgery with Jacob Dimitriou, Faith &Communities Rough Sleeping Adviser at MHCLG, register here: London Forum - Housing Justice.
Tuesday 7 April – anticipated deadline to submit applications i.e. it will likely be a six-week window from launch date.