The Community Grant
Fund for 2025/2026 has completed its primary funding rounds and a
relatively low residual amount of funding remains unallocated. A
decision was required on the most appropriate use of this remaining
balance, taking into account the
original purpose of the fund, value for money, and proportionality
in administration.
In considering the
original purpose of the fund, value for money, and proportionality
in administration, it was determined that the remaining unallocated
funding should be vired to the Crisis
and Resilience Fund which seeks to support those in deprivation by
providing:
Crisis
Provision – a cash-first approach is recommended in the
guidance, but vouchers, and goods in-kind may also be
used. Councils must adopt a person centred, needs based,
trauma informed approach, with multiple application
routes. Crisis provision must act as a gateway to
wraparound support.
Resilience
Services – wraparound support which seeks to build
financial resilience and address underlying causes of crisis. This
includes advice, information, and advocacy around income
maximisation, budgeting, debt management, and wider issues which
may lead to financial hardship.
Community
Coordination – strengthening local support networks and
referral pathways to ensure that individuals access the right
support which prevents, reduces, or delays the need for further
statutory intervention.
Housing
Payments – replaces Discretionary Housing Payments for
Housing Benefit/Universal Credit housing cost claimants.
