HAMPSHIRE County Council is inviting community organisations to apply for a share of £285,000 to help local people cope with the cost of living.
This will be the final opportunity for Hampshire groups to apply for grants from the government’s Household Support Fund, with the application window open until Friday, January 26.
For the financial year ending in March 2024, the County Council set aside a total of £1.3m for community grants from its settlement of more than £14m from the fund.
This included £800,000 for district-based organisations to create initiatives tailored to local need helping to provide vulnerable households with food, utilities and to keep warm. The figure available is the remainder of this, plus £60,000 for organisations to deliver advice services.
Councillor Edward Heron, the County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “There has been an impressive take-up of this funding during the previous application rounds this year, and it has been inspiring to witness the projects these grants have brought to life, whether it has been providing essential goods, food, or helping to reduce heating costs.
“However, groups in some boroughs and districts, notably Hart, but also Gosport, Rushmoor, and New Forest, have been under-represented so far. Therefore, we would especially encourage groups in those areas that have not previously applied to come forward as it could be their last chance to benefit from these grants.
“Applications are invited from all local groups - typically these include community and voluntary organisations, as well as town, parish and community councils.”
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Hampshire County Council administers its share of the Household Support Fund (provided by the Department for Work and Pensions) through its connect4communities programme, working with a range of partners, including borough and district councils, voluntary and charity groups, to coordinate a range of measures that support families and individuals facing hardship.
The support is targeted at a wide range of low-income households in need, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people who would otherwise struggle with energy and water bills, as well as the cost of food.
Full details on applying for community grants are available online.
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