Law or policy

Household Support Fund (HSF)

11 stories · discussed at 2 council meetings · 9 councils

Councils are replacing the Household Support Fund with local crisis funds, while continuing school meal voucher schemes.

Waltham Forest Council boosted its grocery voucher scheme by £1.6 million in September 2026, bringing the total to £2.39 million, to provide free school meal vouchers during holidays. This decision was made by the Portfolio Lead Member for Communities and Libraries, Councillor Treacy. Haringey Council also extended free school meal holiday vouchers until September 2026 as part of its interim Crisis and Resilience Fund Policy.

Several councils launched new local funds in March 2026 to replace the national Household Support Fund (HSF), a government fund providing financial assistance to households. Islington Council approved a three-year Crisis and Resilience Fund, while Barking and Dagenham Council launched a £4.8 million fund. Bromley Council also launched an £8.9 million Crisis and Resilience Fund, with £2.98 million approved for 2026/27.

Before its replacement, the Household Support Fund was allocated by councils to support vulnerable households. Kensington and Chelsea Council's Leadership Team discussed HSF allocation in November 2025. Haringey Council allocated £4.2 million from the fund for 2025-26, which included £1.99 million for free school meal vouchers and £15,000 for warm spaces.

Key facts

  1. Waltham Forest Council boosted its grocery voucher scheme by £1.6 million in September 2026. Source
  2. Islington Council approved a new three-year Crisis and Resilience Fund in March 2026. Source
  3. Barking and Dagenham Council launched a new £4.8 million Crisis and Resilience Fund in March 2026. Source
  4. Bromley Council launched an £8.9 million Crisis and Resilience Fund in March 2026. Source
  5. Haringey Council allocated £4.2 million from the Household Support Fund for 2025-26. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Council boosts grocery voucher scheme by £1.6m Waltham Forest Council has boosted its grocery voucher scheme by £1.6 million to support vulnerable families during school holidays. Waltham Forest 20 September 2026
  2. Islington Launches Three-Year Crisis and Resilience Fund to Combat Poverty Islington Council has launched a new Crisis and Resilience Fund aimed at tackling the root causes of financial hardship and providing support to residents facing poverty. The... Islington 27 March 2026
  3. New £4.8m fund to help low-income households Barking and Dagenham Council has launched a new £4.8 million fund to provide a crucial safety net for low-income households facing financial hardship. The Crisis and Resilience... Barking and Dagenham 26 March 2026
  4. Bromley Council launches £8.9m Crisis and Resilience Fund to support residents Bromley Council is set to allocate £8.9 million towards a new Crisis and Resilience Fund, aimed at supporting residents facing immediate financial hardship and building... Bromley 25 March 2026
  5. Redbridge Council Intensifies Poverty Reduction Efforts with New Strategy and Funding Redbridge Council is intensifying its efforts to combat poverty through a newly adopted strategy and dedicated funding streams. The Strategy and Resources Policy Development... Redbridge 19 March 2026
  6. Kensington and Chelsea Council Discusses Household Support Fund Allocation Kensington and Chelsea Council's Leadership Team convened on 12 November 2025, to discuss the allocation of the Household Support Fund (HSF) to vulnerable households facing... Kensington and Chelsea 16 November 2025
  7. Croydon Faces Rising Nightly Accommodation Costs Amid Homelessness Crisis and Financial Strain Croydon's nightly paid accommodation costs have risen, according to a recent financial performance report, placing additional strain on the council's Housing Revenue Account... Croydon 9 November 2025
  8. Warm spaces get £15k boost in Haringey Haringey's voluntary and community sector organisations are set to receive a £15,000 boost to provide warm spaces for residents this winter. The funding, approved by Councillor... Haringey 12 October 2025