£3m grant scheme launched to help Leeds' poorest households
Leeds City Council said charities would be awarded the funding to help more than 40,000 people.
A grants scheme worth more than £3m is set to help thousands of city households facing financial hardship.
Leeds City Council said charities would be awarded the funding to help more than 40,000 people.
Households facing hunger and debt will be supported by cash from the government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).
A council report said: “It will target residents experiencing financial hardship and is expected to support more than 40,000 people across Leeds.”
Funds will be allocated to charities including Forum Central and Leeds Food Aid Network.
Leeds Community Anchor Network, Voluntary Action Leeds and Leeds Older People’s Forum are also part of the scheme.
Rising household bills meant there was a need to provide financial support, the report said.
Separate amounts of £2.7m and £350,000 from the government fund would pay for the grants scheme.
The report said: “The proposal responds to the continuing need for timely support for low-income households experiencing financial hardship and financial shocks, including unexpected costs, income loss and increased housing or energy costs.
“Without early support, these pressures can escalate quickly, affecting residents’ ability to meet essential needs and increasing the risk of debt, homelessness, poor health and repeat crisis.”
Allocation of the funds will cover support provided between April this year and March 2027 after being formally approved by the council.
In total, the council accepted around £12.8m from the CRF each year between 2026-2029.
The report said it was hoped passing funds to charities would help people who would not normally access council services.
It said: “This should lead to more coordinated neighbourhood-based support, better use of available resources and stronger community capacity to respond to hardship.”