Harrogate District Street Aid
Harrogate District Street Aid provides financial help to people who are or have been street homeless, to support them to turn a corner in their lives. The things that people need to move off the streets vary from person to person, so Harrogate District Street Aid enables someone to think about what will practically help them, and to apply for a grant to pay for it.
The fund is there to be used by the agency working with the person who is, or has been, street homeless, to help deliver their plan to get them off the street or prevent them from returning.
Size of grants
Grants are available of up to £500 for people affected by rough sleeping or street homelessness in the Harrogate District.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be referred by a relevant support organisation that has assessed their circumstances and can confirm that they are in need of the funding, and this funding cannot be found elsewhere.
There are three criteria that people must meet in order to be eligible for a Street Aid grant:
- The person must be, or have a history of, street homeless. It is not enough to be at risk of street homelessness, as the fund is specifically for people who are currently living on the streets or who have lived on the streets before.
- The grant must be for something that would help the person get off, or stay off, the streets. We encourage people to be creative as to what that ‘something’ could be – we don’t restrict what people apply for, as long as it will practically help the person to get off, or stay off, the streets. The grant cannot be used for things that will help the person live on the streets, such as a sleeping bag or tent.
- The person must be a resident of, or have strong links to, the Harrogate district.
How to apply?
Before applying, please read the Harrogate District Street Aid Guidance Notes for this grant scheme carefully.
Applications are only considered complete when all supporting documentation has been received either attached to the online application or posted to the office as paper copies.
When to apply?
Applications can be made at any time but will be subject to available funding.
Harrogate District Street Aid fund comes entirely from voluntary donations. Money raised each month is awarded in grants the following month. If there is ever insufficient money in the fund to award grants at a particular time, referring organisations will be notified by Harrogate District Street Aid and the payment of grants might be delayed for a short time.
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Recently awarded grants
As the fund has only just launched there are no examples yet of grants awarded, the list below is intended as an example of the types of things that a Street Aid grant might be used for.
- Funding towards a laptop to enable the beneficiary to complete a higher education course and then apply for jobs
- Paying for several sessions of counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy or alternative therapies to enable the beneficiary to start addressing mental health issues that are holding them back
- Funding towards a computer to enable the beneficiary to access and process photographs to sell and exhibit
- Paying for the use of an allotment, including a shed and tools, which would bring the beneficiary many mental and physical health benefits
- Funding to help with health and fitness goals – including gym clothing, trainers, classes or membership
- Buying a bike, plus helmet, lights and reflective clothing to get to work.
This list is not exhaustive and is intended as an example only. The needs of individuals will vary greatly and we would encourage applicants to think about what would make a real difference to them.