The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) has donated a further £20,000 to three housing charities across England.
The UK’s largest provider of tenancy deposit protection has awarded £10,000 to Calderdale Smartmove in Halifax, £5,000 to Bosco House in Merseyside, and £5,000 to No Limits in Southampton.
The Head of Tenancy Deposit Protection at the DPS, Daren King, says: “We’re really glad to be able to support these three fantastic charities, all of which provide really important assistance to local people.
The Deposit Protection Service Donates £20,000 to Housing Charities
“Since the launch of our charity fund, the DPS has given £160,000 to housing charities, and we’re delighted to continue to fund such crucial work.”
The donation to Calderdale Smartmove will help provide secured bonds to private landlords and house 23 individuals and families.
The charity’s Craig George comments: “For many people, finding long-term accommodation is extremely challenging, and by giving more individuals and families a helping hand, we can make sure more people have somewhere safe and comfortable to live.
“We’re really grateful to the DPS for the funding, and it’s great to work with organisations that share Calderdale Smartmove’s ethos.”
Bosco House is a small charity that provides bed spaces to single, homeless men, many of whom have substance abuse problems, mental health issues and an offending background. The DPS’ donation will help open a new hostel in Sefton, which will house 13 homeless young people.
James Heller, a senior worker at Bosco House, reacts to the donation: “We are extremely delighted and grateful to the DPS for the funding provided for our new hostel.
“The funding provided will go a long way towards providing a safe and secure environment for our clients, and will contribute to rebuilding lives and combating homelessness in Merseyside.”
Southampton’s No Limits aims to relieve and prevent suffering caused by mental and physical ill health, or by social or economic circumstances among local young people, with an information, advice and counselling service.
The DPS’ donation will fund Homemaker Volunteer courses designed to teach skills that will improve the likelihood of young people staying in their homes, such as cooking on a budget, cleaning and money management.
The Team Leader for Floating Support at No Limits, Paul Salter, says: “We’re really grateful to the DPS for the money, which will really help us empower young people to truly enjoy their new homes.
“Some of the young people we work with have never had the welcoming, comfortable home that many of us take for granted, and we want these young people to feel like they have a home of which they can be proud.”
The DPS first established a fund in 2014 to assist charities that support the homeless and those who need help to live independently.
Many charities across the country have benefitted from donations from the DPS over the past two years.
Housing charities can apply for funds at www.depositprotection.com/charity. Applications for the next round of donations must be submitted by 30th September 2016.