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VRF

**VRF holiday opening times DECEMBER 2025**

Please note that grant applications and payments will be processed up to 24 December (providing we’ve received all the information and evidence needed).

The VRF Team will be away from the office from 12pm on Wednesday 24 December until 9am on Friday 2 January.

However, the VRF grant application form will remain open 24 hours from 25 December until 2 January, so grant applications can be submitted / resubmitted at any time. All applications submitted / resubmitted during that time will be assessed after we return to the office on 2 January.

Please ensure that any grant applications are submitted before the client has moved in; we can’t consider funding for accessing accommodation where the client has moved in before a grant application is submitted.

If you have any queries about this, please feel free to get in touch with us: vrf@stmartinscharity.org.uk

The VRF helps people who are at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness by providing crisis grants to support access to accommodation. As a paid frontline worker, you can apply for a grant on behalf of individuals you are supporting.

What we fund

We consider funding of up to £500 to support access to accommodation including: 

  • Government regulated deposit schemes
  • Rent in advance
  • ID fees
  • Emergency accommodation costs
  • Removal costs for relocation of furniture / belongings

Please note: 

  • We do not accept applications from members of the public or volunteers; The applicant must be a paid frontline worker from a registered organisation providing support to the individual.
  • We cannot accept applications where the applicants’ organisation will become the client’s new landlord. We do however accept applications from organisations who are currently the client’s landlord and are supporting them to move to accommodation with a different provider.
  • Grants will only be paid to the organisation who employs the frontline worker. We cannot make payments directly to landlords or other service providers.
  • We are unable to consider applications where the client already has access to their new accommodation.  

Please see FAQs for more detailed information. 

Registering and applying for a grant

Before you can submit a grant application, you need to register on our Flexi-Grant Application Portal. You will be required to validate the email address you have provided and submit a New User Registration form.  

Once this form has been checked and approved by our team, your line manager will be contacted to verify your account request and confirm oversight and accountability for all applications made to the VRF on behalf of your clients. We will review the information provided by both you and your line manager. If we are satisfied that you meet the criteria of a Permitted User, we will send you confirmation of your account activation via email. 

We aim to process the account request within five working days. 

For more information and instructions, please view the video guide 'How to complete a New User Registration Form' on our Help Page 

The Help Page also contains:  

  • Our Grant Making Policy
  • Terms and conditions 
  • How to make a grant application 
  • The supporting evidence required for us to process your application 

If you’re already a registered user, you can log in here. 

Opening Hours:

The VRF Application Portal is open for submissions Monday to Friday: 9am - 4pm. This may be subject to change, with notice.


Contact

As we are a small team, please read our FAQs before getting in touch 

 

FAQs VRF Help Page