Building society launches £1m fund for housing charities

Housing charities are being invited to bid for grants of up to £50,000 as part of a £1m package of funding being made available by the Nationwide building society.

The building society is making £250,000 available to charities in each of four UK regions, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the West Midlands, for housing activities that have the potential to strengthen communities.

This could include supporting the housing needs of vulnerable people, improving the quality of rented accommodation and creating innovative new housing.

The funding has been made available after the building society’s members voted to donate at least one per cent of its pre-tax profits to good causes, with a focus on tackling housing issues.

Bids will be reviewed by the building society’s community board, which includes members, employees and housing charities. Nationwide members will get a final say on projects to receive funding through a vote either in branches or online.

Nationwide is also planning to quadruple the funding award to £4m later this year and make it available to all UK regions.

Stephen Uden, Nationwide’s Director of Social Investment, said: “We recognise there is a housing crisis, resulting in many people living in unsuitable, insecure or unaffordable accommodation. So, we are delighted to award £1million to communities within four regions to support housing projects and make a real difference.”

He added: “We urge local housing projects and charities in these areas to get involved and make an application, so we can make a real difference and deliver the best possible results, together.”

Details of how to apply for funding can be found here.

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