Local housing causes to benefit from £500,000 as Nationwide opens grant application process

• Local charitable organisations across Wales have the opportunity to benefit from grants of up to £50,000
• Nationwide Building Society is working with Community Foundation Wales
• Grants available to tackle housing issues in local communities
• Application process now open

Local community housing projects and charities are being urged to put their case forward as Nationwide, the world’s largest building society, makes £500,000 available to help make a difference to communities across the region.

The Society is inviting applications for grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 for housing projects that will support the most vulnerable in local communities.

So far Nationwide has awarded £4 million in grants to more than 100 projects and will be investing £5.5 million in housing projects across the UK per year. The programme is being delivered with support from UK Community Foundations, the national network for all accredited Community Foundations across the country.

Charities, community land trusts and housing co-operatives across Wales can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 for one or two years to make a change in their local area. The application process closes on 5 July and successful applicants will be notified by the end of September.

Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Wales said:

“Finding safe, affordable and sustainable housing is a growing challenge for communities across Wales. That’s why we are proud to work with Nationwide Building Society to fund the organisations tackling this issue on the ground and supporting those who need it most.”

Gareth Franks, Regional Director of Wales, said:

“In 2007, our members voted for us to donate at least one percent of our pre-tax profits to good causes and asked that we focus on tackling housing issues. We recognise there is a housing crisis, resulting in many people living in unsuitable, insecure or unaffordable accommodation. So, to help make a real and lasting difference, we are aiming to make £5.5 million available in grant funding for housing-related charities and organisations across the UK per year.
“We are delighted to open the local application process and encourage housing related charities and organisations to apply so that they can collectively benefit from the £500,000 award that is available to communities across Wales.”

Projects funded previously through the programme include:

• SYSHP supports young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Swansea, helping them to live independently. The programme has supported them research new models of housing provision. They are talking to young people, their families and tenants to develop alternative models for young people.
• Home Start Cardiff provides training and support for homeless families in life skills, so they can thrive in their own homes. Nationwide funded the Ty Hapus project to deliver relationship training in hostels so that families and young people can build, maintain and repair key relationships and better manage relationships and conflicts, keep their tenancies, make better life choices and have improved resilience through life.
• Age Cymru Sir Gar provides flexible, practical volunteer support at home, aiding independent living for people aged over 50. The Future Age Project was supported to deliver a befriending style service which assists day-to-day living in practical ways and help people stay in their homes.

A Community Board, which is comprised of Nationwide members and employees, will review all the grant applications and award grants of up to a £50,000. The Board and Nationwide branches within the region will also be providing time and expertise to these charities.

Full details can be found at www.nationwide.co.uk/communityfunding, in local Nationwide branches in this region or by contacting Community Foundation Wales.