Funding to prevent homelessness among hospital and prison leavers

govan law centreGovan Law Centre has been given £100,000 from Bank of Scotland Foundation to launch a new initiative aimed at helping prevent homelessness.

The charity was one of 46 third sector organisations to share grants worth more than £830,000 after successfully applying for funding through Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Small, Medium and Large Grants Programmes in the first six months of this year.

The service will provide a dedicated solicitor for legal advice and representation and financial worker as well as a caseworker for housing.

They will also be given help to improve literacy skills through training or support.

The charity says people being discharged from facilities such as hospital, care or prison can experience long periods of homelessness due to poor financial skills, or not being aware of benefits they are entitled to.

Alistair Sharp, project manager at Govan Law Centre, said: “We very much welcome this Grant from Bank of Scotland Foundation as it means we can effectively focus on vulnerable people with complex needs who find themselves somewhat unexpectedly homeless when discharged from facilities such as hospital, care or prison.

“Our new service will ensure they receive the appropriate support and guidance on their legal rights to accommodation, which will help them integrate back in to society and put an end to rough sleeping.”

The foundation provides funding for costs such as salaries, rent or running costs, giving charities stability in an increasingly challenging environment.

Philip Grant, vhair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and vhair of the Scottish Executive Committee, Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Grants Programmes continue to attract some excellent proposals for short and longer term funding across a wide range of projects.

“We’re delighted that the Large Grant awarded to Govan Law Centre can support this new initiative and help prevent vulnerable people becoming homeless when released from facilities such as hospital or care.

“We’re proud to be able to help support the great work that charities do for their communities across Glasgow and look forward to awarding further Grants later this year.”

The final tranche of the foundation’s small and medium grants is now open and charities have until 12 noon on 6 October 2017 to send in their applications. The 2018 Large Grants programme will open early January 2018.

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