London Housing Foundation Ltd

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £800,000 (across grants, loans, and educational initiatives)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings (approximately 3 months)
• Grant Range: £20,000 - £35,000 (typical maximum)
• Geographic Focus: London-based agencies only

Contact Details

• Website: www.lhf.org.uk
• Email: Ian.Brady@lhf.org.uk
• Phone: 020 7934 0177
• Address: Tempus Wharf, 29A Bermondsey Wall West, London SE16 4SA
• Contact: Ian Brady, Executive Chair

Overview

Founded in 1975 as the Central YMCA Housing Association, the organization restructured in 1993 as the London Housing Foundation (also known as London Homelessness Foundation) with £7.5 million in capital. The foundation has grown its assets to approximately £14 million through strategic investment. LHF's mission is to end homelessness in London by funding innovative projects, providing social loans, and developing sector leadership through educational initiatives. The foundation is distinctive in that its Board of voluntary trustees, all with extensive relevant experience, are closely involved in day-to-day operations, reducing overhead costs and maximizing expenditure on grants. The foundation runs the prestigious £60,000 London Homelessness Awards in partnership with Shelter, Crisis, the Mayor of London, and London Housing Directors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Responsive Grants (two main streams):

1. Sector Collaboration and Consolidation: Support for formal partnerships, mergers, or shared services between organizations. Often provides consultant days for option appraisals rather than direct cash grants.

• For innovative services or products new to the homelessness sector
• Projects should demonstrate viability within 12-18 months
• Must show strong potential for future statutory/independent funding or financial sustainability
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly board decisions

Multi-Year Grants (selective):

• Example: Prisoners Abroad Resettlement Service received £120,000 over three years
• The People's Recovery Project received £30,000
• Treasures Foundation received £20,000

Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly board meetings for decisions. Organizations with shortlisted applications receive site visits before final decisions.

Priority Areas

LHF is particularly interested in:

• Projects addressing links between homelessness and migration/destitution
• Projects tackling homelessness and the criminal justice system
• Services for young people experiencing homelessness
• Projects supporting women who are homeless
• Early-stage, higher-risk projects needing proof of concept
• Innovative approaches with lasting impact on reducing homelessness
• International projects with potential for systemic change (reserved European funding)

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations based outside London (grants restricted to London-based agencies only)
• Organizations that are not registered charities or Community Interest Companies (CICs)
• Projects without clear viability pathways within 12-18 months
• Core running costs (except in specific circumstances)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Ian Brady, Executive Chair - Former CEO of Depaul International with extensive housing and homelessness expertise. Previously served as Deputy Director of the Government's Rough Sleepers Unit, Head of Delivery for the Respect Taskforce, and Deputy Chief Executive of Centrepoint. On becoming Chair, Ian stated: “I have had the privilege of being on the board of LHF for a number of years and it is a huge honour to now step up as Executive Chair.”

Simon Dow - Interim Chair of Regulator of Social Housing since 2018. Former Group Chief Executive of The Guinness Partnership (65,000 homes) and Chair of the London Homelessness Awards judging panel.

Professor Nick Hardwick CBE - First Executive Chair of Independent Police Complaints Commission, former Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons (2010-2016), and former Chair of Parole Board (2016-2018). Part-time Professor of Criminal Justice at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Clare Miller - Group Chief Executive at Clarion Housing Group, the country's largest affordable housing provider.

Derek Joseph, Company Secretary - Manages the foundation's investment portfolio with 35+ years in affordable housing financing.

Eloise Shepherd - Strategic Lead for Housing, Planning and Welfare at London Councils representing 33 boroughs. Member of Chartered Institute of Housing Policy Board.

Lydia Lewinson - Head of Housing Options and Support at Bromley Council with 20+ years local authority homelessness experience. Sub-regional Homelessness Coordinator for South-East London Housing Partnership.

Eleanor Stringer - Deputy Leader of Merton Council and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride. Previously at Education Endowment Foundation managing impact assessments.

Kendra Schneller - Nurse practitioner serving homeless/at-risk populations. Vice Chair, London Network for Nurses and Midwives and Chair of Manna Society.

John Stebbing - Retired architect with nearly 50 years in social housing, involved in provision of hundreds of new homes.

Key Staff

• Hayley Dobson - Executive Assistant (hayley.dobson@lhf.org.uk)
• Becky Rice - LHF/LSBU Leadership Course Director & Atlas Project Manager (becky.rice@lhf.org.uk)
• Mark Wall - Communications Lead (mark.wall@lhf.org.uk)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

Decision Timeline

• Quarterly board meetings review grant applications
• Site visits conducted for shortlisted organizations before board meetings
• Full reports prepared based on site visits
• Typical timeline from submission to decision: approximately 3 months (depending on board meeting schedule)
• Applicants notified after board meetings

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The foundation receives applications throughout the year and reserves part of their annual resources to respond to qualifying requests, subject to their annual budget ceiling of approximately £800,000 across all activities.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. The foundation appears open to ongoing relationships with funded organizations, as evidenced by continued support for projects like HOPE worldwide's Two Step programme.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

Ian Brady has consistently emphasized what LHF looks for, stating about funded projects: “This is exactly the kind of project that we want to support” when referring to initiatives that help people break cycles of homelessness. He has noted that "The board was extremely impressed with SCT's Housing First service and its track record of success," highlighting that demonstrated track record matters.

Recently Funded Projects (Examples of Success)

• Spitalfields Crypt Trust Housing First Service - Supported for their impressive track record
• The People's Recovery Project (TPRP) - £30,000 for building sustained recovery for people experiencing homelessness and addiction
• Treasures Foundation - £20,000 for supporting women in East London with histories of drug abuse and offending
• Prisoners Abroad Resettlement Service - £120,000 over three years
• Safer Renting - Supported for protecting vulnerable renters
• HOPE worldwide's Two Step programme - Continued funding for helping people into accommodation
• Marylebone Project - Supported for crucial work with vulnerable women

Key Success Factors

1. Innovation with Viability: Projects must be innovative but demonstrate clear pathways to sustainability within 12-18 months
2. Track Record: While supporting early-stage projects, having evidence of impact or a strong track record improves chances
3. Strategic Alignment: Strong alignment with priority areas (young people, women, criminal justice, migration) significantly enhances applications
4. Location: Must be London-based - this is non-negotiable
5. Direct Impact: Projects that work directly with people experiencing homelessness are preferred
6. Sector Knowledge: The board's extensive experience means they can quickly assess project quality and feasibility
7. Collaboration: Projects demonstrating sector partnerships or consolidation align with foundation priorities

Common Characteristics of Funded Projects

• Address specific gaps in the homelessness sector
• Show potential for systemic change or lasting impact
• Have clear, measurable outcomes
• Demonstrate understanding of the complex links between homelessness and other issues
• Present realistic budgets with clear viability plans

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• London-only restriction is absolute - Do not apply if your organization is not London-based, regardless of project quality
• Expect site visits - If shortlisted, be prepared for trustees to visit and assess your operation firsthand; this is not just procedural but substantive
• Quarterly decisions mean patience - Build in 3-month decision timelines when planning project start dates
• Innovation must be grounded - “Innovative” doesn't mean untested; show how your approach builds on evidence while trying something new
• The board knows the sector deeply - With decades of combined homelessness experience, trustees will spot gaps or weaknesses quickly; be thorough and honest
• Maximum grant expectations - While some multi-year grants exceed £35,000, typical proof-of-concept grants max out at £25,000-£35,000; budget accordingly
• Sustainability is critical - Clearly articulate how the project will continue after initial LHF funding within 12-18 months
• Consider the broader LHF ecosystem - The foundation also runs leadership programmes and the London Homelessness Awards; demonstrating engagement with sector development strengthens applications

References

1. London Housing Foundation website - Grants page: https://lhf.org.uk/grants/
2. London Housing Foundation website - About Us/History: https://lhf.org.uk/about-us/
3. London Housing Foundation website - Staff & Trustees: https://lhf.org.uk/staff-trustees/
4. UK Charity Commission Register - London Housing Foundation Ltd (270178): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/270178
5. London Housing Foundation Press Releases - Various funded projects: https://lhf.org.uk/
6. London Housing Foundation - Ian Brady appointment announcement: https://lhf.org.uk/news/press-release-ian-brady-takes-over-as-chair-of-london-housing-foundation/
7. London South Bank University - Leadership and Management Programme: https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/course-finder/management-homelessness-and-housing-pgcert
8. London Housing Foundation website - Publications: https://lhf.org.uk/publications/