Good Place to Live: New Beginnings Fund (UK)

The Good Place to Live: New Beginnings Fund provides grants of up to £200,000 over four years to eligible charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), and Community Interest Companies (CICs) in the UK. The fund supports organizations that help people navigate significant life transitions—such as leaving prison, care, abusive relationships, or the asylum system—to reduce the risk of homelessness and build long-term stability.

About the Good Place to Live: New Beginnings Fund

The Good Place to Live: New Beginnings Fund is designed to strengthen community organizations that prevent homelessness by supporting people during critical moments of change in their lives.

The programme recognizes that major life transitions often increase the likelihood of homelessness if individuals do not receive timely and appropriate support. By investing in organizations that build trusted relationships and provide long-term guidance, the fund aims to help vulnerable individuals secure stable housing, improve well-being, and create better opportunities for the future.

Rather than responding after homelessness occurs, the programme prioritizes early intervention and prevention.

Programme Objectives

The fund aims to:

• Prevent homelessness before people reach crisis point.
• Support individuals during major life transitions.
• Strengthen community-based organizations providing long-term support.
• Help people overcome barriers to stable housing and independent living.
• Promote confidence, resilience, and social inclusion.
• Reduce housing insecurity across vulnerable communities.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects should support people experiencing one or more of the following life transitions:

• Leaving prison
• Leaving the care system
• Leaving an abusive relationship
• Leaving the asylum system after receiving permission to remain in the UK
• Other circumstances that significantly increase the risk of homelessness

Organizations should demonstrate how their work helps individuals successfully navigate these transitions while reducing the likelihood of homelessness.

Who the Programme Supports

The programme focuses on people who:

• Are at risk of becoming homeless.
• Need practical and emotional support during major life changes.
• Face barriers to securing stable accommodation.
• Require long-term guidance to rebuild their lives.
• Benefit from trusted community-based support services.

Funding Available

Applicants can apply for one of two grant options:

Option 1

• £100,000 over four years.
• Paid as £25,000 annually.

Option 2

• £200,000 over four years.
• Paid as £50,000 annually.

The funding provides flexible, long-term support that enables organizations to plan sustainable services for people at risk of homelessness.

Eligible Organizations

The programme is open to organizations that primarily support people through eligible life transitions.

Applicants may include:

• Registered charities.
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs).
• Community Interest Companies (CICs).

Organizations should have a clear mission focused on preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable people during key life changes.

Eligibility Requirements

Registered Charities and CIOs

Applicants must:

• Be registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales or the Index for Charities registered in the Isle of Man.
• Have at least one completed set of annual accounts covering a full 12-month operating period that has been received by the Charity Commission.
• Have a governing Board consisting of at least three trustees.
• Ensure trustees are not related to one another.
• Have trustee information accurately recorded with the Charity Commission.

Community Interest Companies (CICs)

Eligible CICs must satisfy the programme’s organizational eligibility requirements and demonstrate that their primary activities align with the fund’s objectives.

Eligible Activities

Supported organizations may deliver activities such as:

• Homelessness prevention services.
• Housing advice and tenancy support.
• Practical assistance during life transitions.
• Emotional well-being and confidence-building support.
• Case management and advocacy.
• Community integration services.
• Employment or education guidance.
• Long-term mentoring and coaching.
• Referral and partnership support.

Projects should focus on helping individuals establish long-term stability rather than providing only short-term emergency assistance.

Why This Fund Matters

Periods of transition often leave people vulnerable to housing insecurity.

Without early support, individuals leaving prison, care, abusive relationships, or the asylum system may face:

• Housing instability.
• Financial hardship.
• Social isolation.
• Reduced employment opportunities.
• Poor physical and mental health.
• Increased risk of homelessness.

By funding organizations that intervene early, the programme helps people maintain stable housing, improve well-being, and build independent futures.

How to Apply

Organizations should follow these steps before submitting an application.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization meets the legal registration and governance requirements.

Step 2: Demonstrate Programme Alignment

Clearly explain how your work supports people during eligible life transitions and prevents homelessness.

Step 3: Choose a Funding Level

Decide whether to apply for:

• £100,000 over four years, or
• £200,000 over four years.

Select the amount that best matches your organizational capacity and project plans.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Information

Provide documentation demonstrating:

• Organizational registration.
• Governance structure.
• Annual accounts.
• Programme activities.
• Expected impact.
• Financial requirements.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete and submit the application according to the programme guidelines and deadlines.

Application Tips

To strengthen your application:

• Demonstrate experience supporting vulnerable people.
• Explain how your services prevent homelessness before crisis occurs.
• Include evidence of measurable outcomes.
• Highlight long-term support rather than one-off interventions.
• Show strong governance and financial management.
• Present a realistic and sustainable budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Applying without meeting registration requirements.
• Failing to demonstrate homelessness prevention outcomes.
• Providing unclear project objectives.
• Submitting incomplete governance documentation.
• Requesting funding that exceeds organizational delivery capacity.
• Focusing only on emergency responses rather than prevention.

Why Homelessness Prevention Matters

Preventing homelessness is often more effective and less costly than responding after someone loses their home.

Early intervention can:

• Improve long-term housing stability.
• Reduce demand for emergency services.
• Support better physical and mental health.
• Strengthen community resilience.
• Help people access employment, education, and support services.
• Create lasting positive outcomes for individuals and families.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the New Beginnings Fund?

Registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), and eligible Community Interest Companies (CICs) working to prevent homelessness during major life transitions.

How much funding is available?

Organizations may apply for either £100,000 or £200,000, paid over four years in annual installments.

Which life transitions does the programme prioritize?

The fund focuses on people leaving prison, leaving care, leaving abusive relationships, leaving the asylum system after securing permission to remain in the UK, and other situations that significantly increase the risk of homelessness.

What types of activities are supported?

Projects that provide long-term guidance, housing support, mentoring, advocacy, practical assistance, and services that prevent homelessness are eligible.

Can newly established charities apply?

Registered charities and CIOs must have at least one completed set of annual accounts covering a 12-month operating period that has been received by the Charity Commission.

Why is long-term support important?

Sustained support helps individuals overcome barriers, maintain stable housing, build confidence, and reduce the likelihood of experiencing homelessness.

What makes a strong application?

Strong applications clearly demonstrate organizational experience, effective governance, measurable impact, and a well-planned approach to preventing homelessness during key life transitions.

Conclusion

The Good Place to Live: New Beginnings Fund provides significant long-term funding to organizations working to prevent homelessness among people experiencing major life changes. By offering grants of up to £200,000 over four years, the programme enables charities, CIOs, and CICs to deliver sustained, person-centered support that helps vulnerable individuals achieve housing stability, rebuild confidence, and create lasting opportunities for independent living.