London's only housing advocacy service for black and minority ethnic communities is under threat because the Association of London Government plans to slash its funding.
Frontline has been supported by an ALG grant of £99,000 a year since 2000. But this year, the ALG has cut the funds available for homelessness grants from £7m to £3.2m, anticipating that Supporting People will mop up the rest.

The association has recommended a grant of £60,000 this year and £21,000 next year for Frontline. The service is not eligible for Supporting People and said it will close if the cuts go ahead.

Diane Henderson, head of care support and diversity at the National Housing Federation, said more schemes like Frontline could fall through the net as funding systems are reorganised in the wake of Supporting People.

She said: "We have all been relying so heavily on Supporting People but not everyone is eligible."

The ALG has emphasised that no decisions will be made until 15 July, when its grant committee votes on the officers' recommendations.

It has invited open bids for its grants for the first time this year, having conducted a review of its allocations policy. Bids for homelessness grants totalled £11m.

An ALG spokesman said: "There are going to be groups who are disappointed. Next week, councillors will be looking at the overall package."

Source

Housing Today