Cladding remediation funding programmes

In March 2020, the government announced spending of £1bn to remove and replace unsafe non-ACM cladding systems on high-rise residential buildings in England. Mayoral Decision 2630 approved the GLA’s role in delivering this programme.

The registration prospectus sets out the scope and eligibility criteria for the fund. The government has published further information about the Building Safety Fund for applicants who have already registered their interest, been fully assessed at registration and invited to apply because their building is eligible. The initial round of registrations for this programme has closed.

The Building Safety opened to new applications in July 2022, which involved the introduction of new guidance and processes. Guidance is available for buildings which entered the fund at this time.

For social-sector applicants (whose remediation costs are not deemed unaffordable or a threat to financial viability), the MHCLG has published ‘Social sector grants (leaseholders costs)’ guidance.

This provides further information about the process by which registered providers of social housing can claim funding equivalent to the value of remediation work that would otherwise be charged to leaseholders (including shared owners). The GLA is not involved in the social-sector grant-claim process. Questions about social-sector grants should be directed to [email protected].

In February 2021, the government announced spending of a further £3.5bn for cladding remediation on high-rise buildings. The delivery model for this additional funding, including any role for the GLA in administering this grant for London buildings, has not been confirmed.

Template documents

To support you with your application, we have put together a list of documents which you may be asked to complete at various stages of the application process.

In November 2023, the government announced the Grenfell Assisted Shared Ownership Scheme (GAHOS), which provides funding of £40m to enable eligible households to purchase a stake in their current social rented home on similar terms to if they had purchased their Grenfell home through the statutory Right to Buy scheme. The Mayoral Decision 2779 approved the GLA’s role in delivering this programme.

The Funding Guidance sets out how GLA Investment Partners can apply for grant funding as part of the scheme. The government has published broader guidance on GAHOS.

GLA Investment Partners should speak to their Area Team contacts for assistance with grant funding applications for GAHOS.

Waking Watch Relief Fund and Waking Watch Replacement Funds

The Mayor has repeatedly highlighted the costs leaseholders face for interim safety measures such as waking watch. He has long called for the government to fully fund these costs across all unsafe buildings.

In December 2020, the government announced spending of £30 million to pay for the installation of common fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding, removing or reducing the need for waking watch. £16.1 million of the £30 million Waking Watch Relief Fund (WWRF) was allocated to London.

The GLA administered WWRF on the government’s behalf for buildings in London. All decisions regarding the scope and design of the Fund and approvals of applications were carried out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) (subsequently known as the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)). The Mayoral Decision 2774 approved the GLA’s role in delivering this programme.

The Mayor has always been clear that swift remediation of unsafe cladding remains an urgent priority. While those in the process of remediating their building were able to apply for the WWRF in the interim, it should was never a substitute or reason for delay.

The initial round of applications for the WWRF in London opened on 18 March 2021 and closed on 30 April 2021. MHCLG re-opened the Waking Watch Relief Fund on 16 September 2021. The application period closed on 10 December 2021.

The fund is now closed for new applications. Any application queries should be sent to [email protected]

Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2022

On 27 January 2022, the government announced a further £27 million to fund the installation of a common alarm system in all residential buildings regardless of height with a waking watch in place (the costs for which fall to leaseholders) due to any fire safety defect. DLUHC was responsible for administering the Fund in London. Find full details, including on eligibility criteria and the application process.

The fund is now closed for new applications. Any application queries should be sent to [email protected]

Waking Watch Replacement Fund 2023

On 25 May 2023, the government announced a further £18.6 million to fund the installation of a common alarm system replacing waking watch measures in all residential buildings where a waking watch is currently in place in England, regardless of where the costs of the waking watch fall. DLUHC is responsible for administering the Fund in London. Find full details, including eligibility and the application process.

The Fund opened for all residential buildings on 25 May 2023 and closed on 24 November 2023. The fund is now closed for new applications. Any application enquiries should be sent to [email protected] .