The Un-Fantastic Four

The application process for social housing grants can be long, tedious and even (gasp, horror!) uninspiring. Even when you’re sure you’ve ticked all the boxes and are certain that your worthy quest will triumph, you get the villainous message that your bid was unsuccessful or that funding was allocated elsewhere.

Here are the 4 biggest pitfalls that stand between you and a successful grant application.

4. Broken fellowships
If you can’t show a strong collaboration with contractors, a solid (and sustainable) supply chain and relationships with planning departments and tenant associations, start strengthening those connections now. The weaker your delivery system looks, the weaker your odds of scoring a winning application.

3. At odds with the funder’s noble crusade
Every funder has its own goals — some aim for net zero, others want better rural housing and some aspire to regenerate declining areas.  Funders want to see that your project is going to drive their virtuous mission. If your bid doesn’t echo the funder’s language or priorities, your application probably isn’t sharp enough to cut the mustard.

2. Fantastical targets
Resist the urge to overpromise on speed, capacity or budget.  If you don’t hit your deadlines, your failure to deliver on time and on budget will look bad for the funder. 

And the TOP reason for funding failure is…

1. Stripping the flesh from the mission
Make it clear how your project will improve the lives of social housing tenants — through energy savings, healthier living conditions, a warmer home... Funders are people too and need to know you’re passionate about bettering the lives of those of us who are having a rough go of it. Solar panels, sealing breezy windows and proper insulation have their place, but never lose the human touch.

Until next time…
…may your paperwork be swift, your partnerships steadfast and your quest to shape a better world forever echo through the warm, golden halls of social housing legend.