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 either assist strategic partners or to fund proven services or for new or innovative projects. Grants for strategic partners or 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 key partners, proven services and new or innovative projects?
Key partners are those that would receive funding not for one specific project but to cover a number of over-arching objectives that tie in with the Government's objectives in housing and homelessness strategies
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. They must also be able to be rolled out nationally.
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
The application process is split into two stages.
Stage 1 closes on 30 June each year for initial applications. Applications which are passed to stage 2 have until 30 September to complete the application in accordance with the guidelines. No fresh applications will be accepted after 30 June.
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.