Homeless Link is managing applications to the Fund on the GLA’s behalf and will be supporting and monitoring successful grantees.
The Immigration Advice for Rough Sleepers Fund (IARSF) will enable services to support people to prove or obtain secure immigration status and enable a positive move-on from the streets or from emergency accommodation.
The Fund will provide grants of between £15,000 and £70,000 for an initial six month period of activity from April 2021, with a potential option for extension up to June 2022, pending approval of an additional funding pot.
The Fund will aim to reach migrant rough sleepers to reduce their vulnerability to rough sleeping again or becoming entrenched rough sleepers, as well as reducing their risk of falling victim to exploitation or crimes such as modern slavery.
The number and proportion of destitute migrants in London is high, and many people have unclear or insecure immigration status, meaning that their routes off the streets are limited. To maximize positive outcomes for this group, immigration advice and specialist support to evidence or obtain secure immigration status and entitlements are key.
The broad objectives of the Fund are to:
- Increase free immigration advice available to non-UK national rough sleepers to access their rights and entitlements, including people from Roma communities, women and the hidden or mobile homeless;
- Increase the specialist support available to non-UK national rough sleepers within homelessness support services to facilitate a positive move-on from rough sleeping;
- Improve integration and/or collaboration of migration and homelessness work;
- Embed specialist immigration advice in support services for rough sleepers.
Apply for funding
The Fund is open to frontline homeless, migrant and advice organisations who are supporting destitute migrants sleeping rough, or in emergency or hostel type accommodation, in London. Lead applicants must be either a registered charity, community benefit society or registered company, and partnerships or joint applications are encouraged. Organisations of any size can apply.
Organisations wishing to apply should read the prospectus available at the bottom of this page thoroughly.
For any further enquiries please email fund@homelesslink.org.uk.
*Applications now closed.
Key dates
- The grant application window opens on 15 February 2021 and closes on 8 March 2021.
- Successful applicants will be notified week commencing 22 March to enable projects to start in April/May.
