As part of Oxford City Council’s commitment to deliver the priorities set out in Oxford’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28 we are inviting organisations external to the Council to apply for grant funding to support initiatives that prevent rough sleeping and support those experiencing rough sleeping in the city to move off the streets and find sustainable accommodation.
How much can I apply for?
Organisations seeking funding can apply for up to £50,000 per initiative.
If the scheme is oversubscribed, the City Council may decide to part fund some applications. Applicants will need to detail how they could scale their proposals.
Who can apply?
Applications for funding will only be accepted from organisations that operate and deliver initiatives in Oxford city. You can apply if your organisation is a:
- Voluntary or community organisation
- Registered charity
- Not-for-profit company or community interest company
- Social enterprise
- Faith based organisation
What the grant scheme can support
Applications should align with and help deliver Oxford City Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28 and Oxfordshire’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-26.
Applications should deliver initiatives that meet the relevant MHCLG funding criteria (see Appendix 1 in the detailed grant scheme guidance document (PDF 123kB).
Some examples of the type of initiatives the fund can support, but is not limited to, include:
- practical support for individuals experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping which can include but is not limited to, education, training and employment, access to food, clothing, and meaningful activities
- community engagement or participatory events with individuals experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping
- support and training to upskill staff teams of homelessness initiatives, to improve outcomes for individuals accessing them
- support for individuals experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping to recover from homelessness and sustain independent accommodation, in particular support for those at risk of returning to the streets after they have been housed
- preventative services, prioritising resources based on an assessment of an individual’s support needs
- interventions that support individuals to move off the streets in the winter time
There will be a strong preference for bids that:
- are aspirational for the futures of individuals experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping
- are co-produced with individuals experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping
- include trauma informed thinking
- interact with and add value to existing services
- encourage multi agency working
- support individuals rough sleeping to move off the streets
- address a gap in provision, enhance accessibility or inclusion in existing services. Projects should not duplicate existing services
- benefit people from minority groups
- reduce silo working between services/organisations and disciplines
- support individuals who are experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping and who have multiple support needs
What the grant scheme can't support
This scheme is not intended for:
- initiatives to support individuals under the age of 18
- initiatives which statutory organisations would normally be expected to provide under their statutory duty
How to make an application
Apply online
Apply for a grant using the online application form on the Plinth website.
Apply for a grant online on the Plinth website
Application schedule
- Applications open: 13 October 2025
- Applications close: 3 November 2025 at 9am
- Decisions expected: 24 November 2025
Supporting documents
Download the following documents to support your grant application:
