Nationwide helps boost Scottish housing causes with £250,000 fund

The Society is urging its members to vote for which projects should receive a grant of up to £50,000, with polling due to close on July 20.

Applications were invited for grants for housing projects that have the potential to strengthen communities and help make a difference in local areas, ranging from preventing people from being homeless, helping people into a home and supporting people to remain in their homes.

It comes as new research for Nationwide Building Society shows that one in five (20 per cent) people in Scotland have been homeless or have experienced family or close friends without a home of their own.

A third of Scottish adults (34 per cent) see homeless people in their local area at least once a week, while almost one in five (19 per cent) say they see someone they believe to be homeless in their local area every day.

Nationwide’s research also reveals that the vast majority (91 per cent) think homelessness fits the stereotype of sleeping on the street. Others, however, recognise that it’s an issue that is not always obvious, with 63 per cent acknowledging that sofa surfing with friends or living temporarily in a B & B (57 per cent) are actually forms of so-called ‘hidden homelessness’.

Nationwide now wants its members to have their say on which projects are supported in their local communities, which have been chosen by an appointed local Community Board, which is comprised of members, employees and housing experts.

Members can vote in branch or online for the shortlisted charities, which have applied for a maximum £50,000 grant. The Board and Nationwide branches within the region will also be providing time, contacts and expertise to these charities.

Garry Samson, Nationwide’s regional director, said: “We recognise there is a housing crisis in Scotland, resulting in many people living in unsuitable, insecure or unaffordable accommodation. So, we are delighted to award £250,000 to communities within Scotland to support housing projects and make a real difference.

“It is now down to our members to make a difference to their local communities and tell us exactly where our funding should be focused – after all, our members know their communities better than anyone else.”