Community housing projects and charities are being urged to put their case forward as Nationwide - the UK’s biggest building society - makes £250,000 available to help make a difference across communities in the West Midlands.

The Society is inviting applications for grants of up to £50,000 that have the potential to strengthen communities and help make a difference in local areas. Projects could range from innovative new housing, improving rented accommodation conditions, to supporting the most vulnerable.

Applications will be accepted from across west and central areas of the UK, including the following areas: Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and West Midlands areas of Birmingham.

John Worthy, Nationwide’s Area Director for the West Midlands, said: “As a building society, ensuring that everyone has a place fit to call home is at the heart of what we do. Nationwide was founded to help people save and borrow money for land and materials to build their own homes. One hundred and thirty years on, we still have the same core purpose - helping people into homes of their own.

“We recognise there is a housing crisis, resulting in many people living in unsuitable, insecure or unaffordable accommodation. So, we are delighted to award £250,000 to communities within the West Midlands to support housing projects and make a real difference.”

Nationwide members will get a final say on which projects are supported in their local communities and a Community Board, which is comprised of members, employees, housing charities and experts, has been appointed.  The Board will review all grant applications and put forward a number of local projects to a member vote. Nationwide members will then be able to vote, in branch or online, for a shortlist of charities to be awarded up to a maximum of £50,000. The Board and Nationwide branches within the region will also be providing time, contacts and expertise to these charities.

As part of the Society’s new social investment strategy programme, to provide everyone a place fit to call home, Nationwide plans to roll this initiative out across the UK during 2018, providing a £4million annual fund for community housing initiatives and charities – helping make a difference to communities up and down the country.  There has been £270,000 already awarded to nine different housing charities and organisations in the north of England this year.

Nationwide is now inviting applications for housing community projects in the West Midlands.