City of York Council Approves £4.8m Crisis and Resilience Fund for the Next 3 Years

Let's be honest, sometimes life throws a proper curveball. One minute everything’s ticking along nicely, the next the boiler’s packed in or the car’s failed its MOT. It’s that sudden, unexpected bill that can really throw your finances into a spin. For residents in York, a bit of good news has just landed. The City of York Council has given the green light to a new £4.8 million pot of money, called the Crisis and Resilience Fund, designed to be a safety net for people when they need it most. It's all about helping people get back on their feet after a financial shock and building up their long-term resilience so they're better prepared for the future.

A bit of welcome stability

On 05 Mar 2026, the council made a big announcement. They’ve secured funding for the next three years, running from 1 April 2026 right through to 31 March 2029. Now, that might sound like boring admin, but it’s actually a pretty big deal. For years, this kind of support has been funded through one-off allocations, making it tricky to plan for the long term. This new three-year deal brings some much-needed stability. It means the council and its charity partners can make solid plans to help residents without worrying if the money will disappear next year. The decision was approved at a special Decision Session for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, and Equalities, showing it's a key priority.

Cllr Katie Lomas, who is the Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion, explained just how important this is.

“This fund ensures that support continues for residents who are struggling with the ongoing pressure of rising living costs. While the reduction in national funding is significant, having a confirmed three‑year settlement gives us the stability to plan, prioritise and protect those most at risk,” she said. “The Crisis and Resilience Fund will work alongside the York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS) to help people facing immediate financial hardship while also strengthening community resilience along with our partners to help people in the long term. Our aim is to ensure every resident can benefit from the success of the city and has access to the right support at the right time.”

So, what does this fund actually do?

Okay, so what does this new fund actually mean for people? The Crisis and Resilience Fund isn't just one thing; it’s split into four key areas to provide different kinds of help. Think of it as a toolkit for tackling a financial crisis, with different tools for different jobs. This approach aims to build both personal financial resilience and wider community resilience.

• Crisis Payment: This is the emergency response part of the fund. If someone is in an immediate crisis – say, they can't afford to top up the gas meter or buy food – they can get a crisis payment, with grants often approved within 24 hours. It’s for those moments when you just can’t wait.

• Housing Payment: Falling behind on rent is incredibly stressful. This part of the fund provides financial support specifically for housing needs. Of the total amount, £163k each year is earmarked just for housing payments to help residents who have a shortfall. A secure home is the foundation for everything else, so this housing payment is vital.

• Resilience Services: This is about playing the long game. Instead of just giving a one-off payment, this part of the fund invests in services that help people become more financially stable. This could mean workshops on budgeting, advice on dealing with debt, or support to find better-paid work. It’s all about building long-term financial resilience.

• Community Coordination: No one organisation can solve everything. This part of the fund is about making sure all the different support services in York work together. It invests in activities that connect the dots between the council, charities, and other local groups. This community coordination ensures people get routed to the exact help they need, quickly and without fuss.

Making things simpler for people in a crisis

One of the best things about this new setup is that it makes getting help a lot simpler. Before, there were several different schemes, and it could be confusing to know which one to apply for. This new Crisis and Resilience Fund brings three of them under one roof. The new crisis payment will replace both the old York Financial Assistance Scheme and the Household Support Fund. And the new housing payments will replace what used to be called discretionary housing payments. This means residents will have one clear place to turn to. When you're already dealing with a financial crisis, the last thing you need is a mountain of confusing paperwork. This move is all about streamlining the process and making access to this crucial fund easier, ensuring equality in access for all who need it.

Part of a bigger plan for York

This fund isn't just a standalone project; it’s a key part of the City of York Council’s wider anti-poverty strategy. This strategy is built on three main goals: tackling the immediate problems of poverty today, preventing people from falling into poverty in the first place, and creating long-lasting change for the city. The Crisis and Resilience Fund directly supports these aims by providing both immediate help (the crisis payment) and long-term support (the resilience services). It’s also built on strong partnerships with York's amazing voluntary and community sectors. By working together, these organisations can achieve far more for residents than they could alone. There will even be a grant programme to help these smaller organisations continue their brilliant work, ensuring the spirit of community coordination is strong and effective. This focus on human rights and fairness is central to the project's design.

Getting the support you need

The new Crisis and Resilience Fund will officially open for applications from 1 April 2026. For anyone who thinks they might need support, the process is designed to be straightforward. This initiative represents a significant commitment to improving the council's performance in supporting vulnerable people through major projects like this one. It's a fund designed by the City of York Council, for the residents of York, to help them weather any financial shock and build a more secure future. For more information, people are advised to visit the council's website.