English charities with innovative ideas about how to tackle homelessness can now apply for the final £4m of the £20m Homelessness Transition Fund, launched in 2011 to encourage innovative measures to tackle the issue.

Charities working in partnerships and those working in areas worst affected by homelessness will be given preference in their applications for a grant of up to £150,000 to develop and implement their approach.

Some £3.5m will be available for these large grants while the remaining £0.5m will be awarded in small grants of £5,000 - £25,000, from the Future Ready fund, to help homelessness services under pressure secure their future.

The Homelessness Transition Fund is provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government and administered by Homeless Link. So far £16m has been provided to 120 organisations in England. Many of these grants have been awarded under the 'No Second Night Out' banner, with projects offering innovative ideas in ensuring homeless people have a place to go other than the streets, bespoke for their local area. Other projects are preventative.

Sharon Allen, chair of the fund's grants panel said:

"This vital funding has already had an impact, preventing thousands of people from living on our streets...If you're a charity with a new idea for helping to end rough sleeping, we want to hear from you." 

Charities have until 21 May to submit expressions of interest.