The new programme, which has been built from the learning from seven pilot projects in Scotland in 2025, marks the return of a homelessness prevention fund that supported 662 people to stay in their homes with a £1 million programme for the city. 

Backed by the Scottish Government, the Glasgow Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund, intends to support housing associations, third sector organisations and local partners to stop the occurrence of homelessness. 

The programme will prioritise embedding proven strategies to tenancy sustainment, early intervention, and partnership working. 

Through partnerships between housing associations and third sector organisations, the fund for last year helped 662 people in danger of homelessness, which provided learning concerning how homelessness can be prevented before the point of crisis. 

The Glasgow Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund is open to partnerships spearheaded by Registered Social Landlords as well as third sector organisations which operate in Glasgow. 

Applications need to be delivered through partnership arrangements and need to present how projects will prevent homelessness earlier, aid the sustainment of tenancy, boost local partnerships and expand on the learning from the initial Upstream programme. 

Paul Bradley, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) director of external affairs, said: “We know that the greatest way to tackle homelessness is to prevent it in the first place. 

“That is exactly what the first Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund achieved, supporting hundreds of people across Scotland [to] stay in their homes.”

Bradley added: “Housing associations, working together with local partners, play a crucial role in reaching people long before they are in crisis, embedding the principles of Ask and Act, and can support many more to remain in a safe, warm and affordable home.”

Maggie Brunjes, Homeless Network Scotland chief executive, said: “The evidence is clear that early prevention is one of the most effective ways to tackle homelessness. 

“We welcome the renewal of this fund following the previous round of funding which saw 662 households helped to prevent homelessness.

“The launch of the second round of the fund is a vital investment in Glasgow and housing associations are ideally placed to prevent homelessness through their strong community roots and close partnerships with local charities.”
 
Brunjes added: “Homelessness is not inevitable. We know what works and programmes like the Upstream Prevention Fund form an important part of an approach that helps ensure that early prevention over crisis response becomes the norm.”

On 17 August 2026, applications to the fund will close at 9.00am. On 26 August funding decisions will be announced, with projects commencing on 1 September. 

Applicants can click here for guidance and the application form can be found here. Applications need to be submitted to funding@sfha.co.uk.