London Housing Foundation Ltd

London Housing Foundation Ltd (LHF), established in 1991 from the assets of Central YMCA Housing Association, is a charitable company dedicated to reducing street homelessness and improving the lives of single homeless people, primarily in Greater London with occasional UK-wide and international support for aligned humanitarian needs. Its founding vision emphasizes strengthening frontline agencies rather than direct service delivery, through strategic grants, capacity building, management consultancy, leadership development, and knowledge-sharing. LHF's values center on collaboration, innovation, risk-taking, and amplifying impact via partnerships with organizations like Shelter, Crisis, and the Mayor of London, including initiatives such as the London Homelessness Awards and the Atlas of London’s Homelessness Services.

LHF funds thematic priorities like organisational capacity building, sector leadership, research and data-driven practice, innovative approaches to ending rough sleeping, core costs, proof-of-concept projects, collaborations, mergers, and management consultancy for homelessness agencies. It supports capital and revenue needs for both established and bold new ideas, benefiting leading charities like Homeless Link, grassroots groups, and pan-London networks tackling single adult homelessness.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities of all sizes operating primarily in Greater London, with no income thresholds or religious restrictions; they prioritize evidence-informed, scalable, or collaborative efforts. Typical grants range from £25,000 to £35,000, assessed quarterly at board meetings (March, June, September, December). Applications start with an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the website, followed by site visits for shortlisted projects; check lhf.org.uk for open periods, as 2025 EOIs have closed. LHF does not fund individuals or frontline services directly, distinguishing itself by blending grantmaking with sector-wide systems change, core funding, and a willingness to back untried innovations.