Green Homeless Link

Homeless Link is making changes to reduce our carbon emissions. 

We’ve always tried to be environmentally-friendly at Homeless Link - but we can always do more to reduce our carbon emissions.  It's important not only for the environment but also because we could lower our energy costs as a result. 

We’re making some changes in the way we work and will soon be able to pass on recommendations to our members about how to become more energy and cost-efficient.  To find out more about how we are becoming more green, please contact our Green Team.

Homeless Link's first step was to sign up to the 10:10 campaign, pledging to cut our carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.  The 10:10 campaign encourages businesses, local authorities and individuals to make this pledge and their website has lots of useful tips about how we can all reduce our environmental impact.   

We are encouraging all our member agencies to become more sustainable too - here's how:

How to make your service greener - Useful resources

10:10 - resources to help you cut your 10% and spread the word.
City Bridge Trust "Greening the Third Sector" - grants available to SMEs to carry out an environmental audit of your premises and additional support available if required. Applications OPEN.
LSx Ecovate Project - provides support to small and medium sized organisations to become greener by carrying out an environmental audit, help with writing environmental and procurement policies and action plans. Up to 13 hours of mentor support available.
LSx green toolkit - contains policy templates, useful resources, case studies and action to promote green ideas to clients and members.
LVSC Climate Change Project - initiative to engage the VCS in reducing carbon producing activities and improve links between expert green organisations and the Voluntary sector.
Energy Saving Trust - details of lots of energy saving grants and discounts you can apply for.
Energise London - promotes energy efficiency across London boroughs.
Green Electricity Marketplace - green energy tariffs and price comparisons.
Just Act - website that supports the third sector create, implement and review the action plan on climate change.
Mayor's Green Procurement Code - helping business to buy greener.
Mayor's Environment Strategies - air quality, water and waste and climate change strategies.
Waste Watch - website with practical tips and case studies about how to reduce waste.
BASSAC - Resources to make organisations more sustainable.
Net Regs Waste Directory - easy way to find out where you can recycle business waste.

Download information about the latest grants and loans you can apply for to make your organisation greener (updated 10th January 2012).

How to help your clients become greener - useful resources

Homeless UK - list of furniture recycling schemes across the UK.
Warm Front Programme - grants of up to £3,500 for those in receipt of certain benefits for insulating and heating improvements. New applications still being accepted despite plans to phase scheme out.
RE: NEW is a London-wide scheme aimed at reducing CO2 emissions is offering residents with a free energy check of their property. Where appropriate they will be able to have further measures such as loft, cavity or solid wall insulation or micro-renewables installed for free for those on qualifying benefits.

If you are looking for ideas about activities which contribute to the environment, check out the Lemos and Crane Acorn Awards 2011 which use nature to improve and enhance the lives of vulnerable and socially excluded people. Our members Framework Housing Association and St Mungos were among the shortlisted agencies this year.

Awards

City of London Sustainable City Awards 2011/12 -  Homeless Link was shortlisted for "Greening the Third Sector" Award! The 2012/13 Awards open for entries in September 2012.

Free Training - 1st June 2012

Free training for Voluntary & community sector (VCS) infrastructure organisation in London. Training aims to:

• Learn more about the benefits of improving your environmental performance and the financial savings you could make
• iimprove your environmental behaviour change skills to help your organisation make these savings
• Find out how your organisation can achieve effective change around sustainability

For more information and to book a place visit LVSC's website.