About the scheme
Housing Voluntary Sector grants help national organisations in the housing and homelessness fields develop voluntary projects that benefit the people of Scotland as a whole. Grants are available to fund proven services or for new or innovative projects. Grants for proven services are for national organisations only; while funds for new and/or innovative projects is open to local organisations as well.
What are proven services and new or innovative projects?
Proven services are specific projects that have been proven to work and provide valuable services over a number of years, but which may have difficulty attracting funding elsewhere.
New and/or innovative projects are local or national schemes that have the potential to benefit Scotland as a whole.
Who can apply
Grants are available for national housing and homelessness organisations or in matters relating to housing support and/or homelessness, such as training, advice or research and tenant participation. Awards can be made for core funding, specific projects or a mixture of both and are for up to a maximum of three years. If it is a new project it must also be able to be rolled out nationally within three years.
The definition of national is, for the purposes of this grant scheme, an organisations whose operations cover most, if not all, of Scotland. Local organisations may apply as part of a larger collective partnership to achieve this national coverage.
A list of currently funded organisations and the amount of grant awarded is available.
How to apply
For details of how to apply call David Fairweather on 0131 244 5525, Lindsay Gray on 0131 244 5526, or email HVSG@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
When to apply
You can apply by contacting the above for an application. The closing date is 5 October 2012.
The scheme is reviewed annually, and is subject to funding being made available by Ministers.
Background information
Grants are available under section 39 and section 197 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and section 168 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.