Supporting 200 grassroots organisations in the government's fight against homelessness
As government investment towards ending homelessness reaches £3.9 billion, following a £340 million funding boost in July, we're putting resources directly into the hands of the community organisations working closest to the problem.
We've partnered with the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) to launch the DPS Social Commitment Programme, a nine-month accelerator, that will fund and train 200 voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) leaders across England and Wales, to tackle housing insecurity in their own communities. Participants will receive grants of up to £10,000, alongside hands-on training and mentoring, to design and deliver solutions rooted in local knowledge of what actually works. The partnership also gives our employees at The DPS a direct route to get involved with funded organisations, making tangible contributions to the communities we serve.
Locally embedded social enterprises are uniquely positioned to address the causes and consequences of homelessness, combining job creation with the mental health, financial and housing support people need to rebuild and maintain stable lives.
The first 100 social enterprises will start the programme in April 2027, with applications opening in autumn 2026. Visit the-sse.org for more information.
Claire Dove CBE DL, Crown Representative for VCSEs, said:
“VCSEs, particularly locally rooted social enterprises, are important links in the chain between the government and the communities it aims to deliver impact in. The timing of this collaboration alongside the latest changes to procurement policy shows the third sector's ability to innovate towards positive outcomes for the government and communities across the country.”
Matt Trevett, managing director of Deposit Protection Service, said:
“This partnership is about more than funding. It gives our people a direct way to support organisations working in the communities we serve and to make a practical difference to people facing housing insecurity. Housing insecurity sits at the heart of what The DPS exists to help prevent, so backing organisations with deep local understanding is a natural extension of our purpose.”
Alastair Wilson OBE, chief executive of School for Social Entrepreneurs, said:
“What's struck me most about this partnership is the DPS's authenticity and enthusiasm for making a genuine difference. Together, we want this programme's impact to reach every corner of England and Wales, no matter how small or how local a community is. That's where lasting change happens.”
Cemal Ezel, founder of Change Please, said:
“School for Social Entrepreneurs gave me the space to turn an idea into Change Please, which is now supporting thousands of people who are homeless across eight countries. I know first-hand what's possible when local organisations are given real backing to grow. This programme means 200 more social entrepreneurs will get that same chance to turn their understanding of their own community into lasting change.”