Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that the government is providing £1m to support the charitable response to the Grenfell Tower disaster.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said that the money is a contribution to the “locally-led recovery effort”, and will be administered by a consortium of independent trusts and charities. It will be co-ordinated by London Funders, the membership network for funders and investors in London’s civil society.
First payments for the funding, which is in addition to the £5m Grenfell Tower Residents’ Discretionary Fund, are in the process of being made to reimburse charities for their immediate response to the disaster, as well as supporting ongoing efforts.
Javid said: “The residents of Grenfell Tower have been through some of the most harrowing experiences imaginable and the response from local charities and volunteers has been remarkable.
“This funding will mean that smaller charities and community organisations can continue to make a huge difference.”
The fire, which began in the early hours of Wednesday 14 June, tore through Grenfell Tower in Kensington, resulting in at least 79 fatalities.
David Warner, chief executive of London Funders, said of the funding: “We are delighted that the DCLG has responded with vital funds to provide immediate support to community groups in Kensington and Chelsea who are supporting those directly affected by the Grenfell Fire.
“London Funders, along with a consortium of Trusts and Foundations, is making sure the money gets to those groups who can best use it as quickly as possible. We have now put in place the processes to make that happen.”
A further £48,000 is being provided by government to give organisational support for the assistance centre, which is located at the Westway Centre, as well as the community groups working most closely with the people affected. This money will be administered by communities network Locality.
Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Locality, said: “Local community organisations have been at the heart of the response to the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, providing relief, shelter and support to the hundreds of individuals and families.
“Local people, groups and organisations need to be heard and have more power over what happens in their local area. This funding will help make sure people affected by the disaster continue to receive valuable services, and have access to the local facilities and buildings that have been so crucial in the response to the fire.”
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