The DPS Social Commitment Programme
This is a specialist accelerator and grant‑funding initiative delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) to support organisations in England and Wales tackling homelessness, offering up to £10,000 in funding and structured learning through its Activate and Scale programmes.
Overview
The DPS Social Commitment Programme is run in partnership with The Deposit Protection Service (The DPS) and the School for Social Entrepreneurs. It aims to strengthen organisations addressing the causes and consequences of homelessness across England and Wales.
Two programme streams exist:
- Activate – for early‑stage organisations with annual income under £100,000. tfaforms.net
- The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Activate | School for Social Entrepreneurs
- Scale – for established organisations ready to grow their impact. the-sse.org
- The DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale | School for Social Entrepreneurs
Both streams run from 1 April 2027 to 1 December 2027 and include grant funding, expert-led learning, and peer support. the-sse.org+1
Key Features
1. Grant Funding
- Up to £10,000 to support organisational development and scaling.
- Funding is tied to participation in the learning programme. the-sse.org
2. Learning & Development
Participants receive:
- Diagnostic assessment of organisational needs
- In‑person and online cohort learning sessions
- Peer coaching groups
- One‑to‑one support and mentoring
- Access to SSE’s network of over 7,000 fellows the-sse.org
3. Eligibility
Organisations must:
- Be based in England or Wales
- Primarily support people accessing or sustaining housing
- Address homelessness or housing insecurity
- For Activate: have income under £100,000 and be early‑stage with a piloted model tfaforms.net
4. Application Details
- Deadline: 16 November 2026
- Registration of interest provides access to guidance notes, information sessions, and the application form. tfaforms.net
Related DPS Social Impact Work
The DPS also supports homelessness charities through other initiatives, including interest‑donation schemes that have contributed over £500,000 to St Mungo’s. This reflects its broader commitment to tackling housing insecurity. propertysoup.co.uk
The DPS Social Commitment Programme is a structured, grant‑supported accelerator designed to strengthen organisations working to reduce homelessness and improve housing stability across England and Wales.
Deadline: 16 November
Who can apply
You can apply if your organisation meets all of the following criteria:
- Is based in, and has a majority of beneficiaries in England or Wales.
- Its work:
- helps people access or sustain a home – some or all of which should be in the private rented sector.
or - reduces homelessness and rough sleeping.
- helps people access or sustain a home – some or all of which should be in the private rented sector.
- Is “early-stage” but has some activity in place, with a plan to grow and likely under £100,000 annual income (see below).
- For more established organisations with annual income of over £100,000 check out The DPS Social Commitment Programme Scale here.
If your organisation’s annual income is close to £100,000 please contact us to help decide which would be more suitable.
- For more established organisations with annual income of over £100,000 check out The DPS Social Commitment Programme Scale here.
Register interest and read the guidance notes for more details on eligibility.
We particularly welcome organisations led by and for Black and racially minoritised communities, deaf and disabled people, women, LGBTQ+ communities, and those in economically disadvantaged areas.
Open to anyone addressing the causes and consequences of homelessness in England and Wales, this programme will help you build a resilient business model through a tailored learning programme and grant funding. You’ll learn from experts and each other to grow both your organisation and its impact on those facing housing insecurity.