Enfield Council's Cabinet has approved the distribution of a £7.4 million annual fund aimed at providing crisis support and building resilience for residents facing financial hardship.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which will operate from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029, consolidates the previous Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The fund prioritises support for low-income households experiencing acute hardship.

Abstract illustration of a person in distress, possibly representing the themes of violence against women and girls discussed in the meeting.
Abstract illustration of a person in distress

The allocation includes significant provisions for a Council Tax Support Hardship Fund, application-based support for essentials like food and energy, care leaver support, rent deposits, and housing costs for families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

Fund Allocation Breakdown:

The £7.4 million annual CRF will be distributed as follows:

  • Council Tax Support Hardship Fund: £884,000
  • Application-based support (mandatory): £400,000
  • Care leavers - setting up home allowance, clothing allowance, mediation, and support: £385,000
  • Rent deposits, rents in advance, help with removal costs: £900,000
  • Help with energy/water bills and food (s17) for families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF): £250,000
  • Help with housing costs for families with NRPF: £400,000
  • Adult Social Care Flexi flat rent & costs: £70,000
  • Learning Difficulties employment support: £50,000
  • Furniture and white goods for residents identified via Adult Social Care department: £50,000
  • Mental health transport: £20,000
  • Community coordination services provided by the Welfare Advice and Debt Support Team: £590,000
  • Information & Advice, Digital Inclusion & Assistive Technology (Delivered by Disability Advice Network Enfield (DANE)): £452,000
  • Advocacy and Inclusion (Delivered by Local Enfield Advocacy Partnership (LEAP)): £211,000
  • Crisis payments to clear or mitigate unmanageable historic ASC debts: £385,000
  • Deputyship Emergency Fund: £40,000
  • ASC income maximisation: £88,000
  • Safe sleeping support for families in temporary accommodation: £20,000
  • Funding to all Enfield Primary Schools at the average per school of £1000: £67,000
  • Admin: £285,000
  • Housing costs (ringfenced): £1,670,000
  • Housing costs admin (ringfenced): £183,000

Total: £7,400,000

Eligibility Criteria:

The CRF is designed to support households facing acute hardship and aims to build resilience against future shocks. The fund prioritises support for low-income households facing acute hardship. The eligibility for specific strands of the fund varies:

  • Council Tax Support Hardship Fund: Supports households receiving Council Tax Support who are facing severe financial hardship.
  • Application-based support: Supports households with food, water, energy bills, and other essentials, including white goods. Eligibility is based on need for help with these items.
  • Help with energy/water bills and food for families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF): Supported under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 if there is a child welfare concern.
  • Help with housing costs for families with NRPF: Supported under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 if there is a child welfare concern, as these families cannot access Housing Benefit or Universal Credit for rental costs.
  • Housing Payment: Financial support towards housing costs for claimants entitled to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs. This includes rent in advance, rental deposits, and removal costs. Eligibility is tied to receipt of a qualifying benefit.

Bar chart showing the percentage of applicants who became homeless in 2024, broken down by their first language.
Percentage of applicants that became homeless in 2024 by first language

Additionally, the fund will support community coordination services, information and advice initiatives, and digital inclusion efforts, delivered by organisations such as the Welfare Advice and Debt Support Team and the Disability Advice Network Enfield (DANE).

Digital Inclusion Efforts:

An allocation of £452,000 is dedicated to Information & Advice, Digital Inclusion & Assistive Technology, to be delivered by the Disability Advice Network Enfield (DANE). DANE assists residents, particularly disabled people, older adults, and those with mobility or digital-access barriers, in staying connected, informed, and independent. They offer practical guidance, digital skills support, and tailored assistance to access services. Through its self-referral platform, digital inclusion workshops, and one-to-one advice, DANE aims to help residents overcome isolation, navigate welfare and community services, and use technology confidently, aligning with Enfield's Prevention and Early Intervention approach. The CRF guidance also stresses accessibility, recommending multiple application routes beyond online forms, such as telephone and face-to-face applications, and providing information in various formats to combat digital exclusion.

Abstract illustration of a person with their hand to their face, symbolizing distress or contemplation.
Person in distress

The Cabinet's decision, made on March 11, 2026, aims to prevent homelessness, reduce reliance on expensive temporary accommodation, and enhance the overall well-being and stability of vulnerable residents in Enfield. The fund's flexible, cash-first approach is designed to ensure timely and effective assistance, tailored to individual needs. Further details can be found in the Crisis and Resilience Fund Report.