Apply for Help
CRASH is the construction industry’s charity.
CRASH assists homelessness charities and hospices with their refurbishment and construction projects, sourcing pro-bono or discounted professional expertise, and construction products, from our Corporate Patron companies and supporters within the industry.
We know buildings affect the way we feel and behave – even a small refurbishment project can make a big difference.
How We Help
CRASH has built long-lasting, significant partnerships with companies in the construction industry. We work collaboratively with all of the homelessness and hospice charities we support to deliver assistance in three ways:
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Professional Expertise
CRASH can source pro-bono or discounted professional expertise thanks to our Corporate Patrons. This might include architects, engineers, quantity surveyors or contractors.
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Construction Products
CRASH can introduce product specifiers to ensure the correct products are selected, and source free-of-charge or discounted construction products.
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Grant Giving
CRASH awards grants which are made possible thanks to the generosity of the construction and property industry.
Here are examples of the areas where CRASH may provide assistance before, during and after your construction project:
Pre-Construction
- Advice on the suitability of a property
- Site surveys and investigations, including Planned Preventative Maintenance surveys (PPM)
- Production of architectural and engineering designs
- Help writing the scope of works
- Tendering and procurement advice
During Construction
- Sourcing construction products
- Our Corporate Patron companies who are contractors may be able to undertake the work, depending on the project size and location
- Continued design advice from our Corporate Patrons if they were involved pre-construction
Post-Construction
- Guidance on maintenance of your property via a Planned Preventative Maintenance survey (PPM)
- Advice on dilapidations
Planned Preventative Maintenance survey (PPM)
A Planned Preventative Maintenance survey (PPM) can help a charity understand the work that needs to be done on their property. This means a plan can be put in place that prioritises when work needs to be done and what it is likely to cost. This keeps a building in good condition going forward and avoids emergency repairs being necessary.
Application Process
Here is an outline of our application process. We’re here to help you so don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.
Check Criteria & Eligibility-
1. Speak to our Projects Manager to check your eligibility
Please call us on 07951 446 531 and ask to speak to our Projects Manager who will discuss your project with you and determine whether your project is eligible.
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2. Complete the online application form
If we confirm that your project is eligible, please register and create your online account to start the application. (Please note if you created an account before April 2023 you will need to create a new one). The online application form can be saved and completed at your own pace. Some supporting photos and evidence is required.
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3. We review and evaluate the application
We will be in touch if we need to clarify any elements of your application. If we proceed, CRASH will visit your project, alongside a construction professional, to better understand your needs.
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4. We provide a pro-bono report
Following the visit, a pro-bono report written by a construction professional will be provided, regardless of whether CRASH is able to further assist. The report will include details of the planned works, recommendations and next steps.
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5. Application decision
CRASH will advise whether or not further support is available and if so, in what form (i.e. professional expertise, construction products, grant).
Check Criteria & Eligibility
Please note that CRASH will give priority to applications that relate to providing residential and day services.
For Homelessness Charities
Your application must meet the following criteria:
- Your organisation must be a registered UK charity with the Charity Commission in England, Wales or Northern Ireland or a registered Scottish Charity.
- Your building is currently delivering or will be used to deliver services to single homeless men and women over the age of 18. CRASH cannot accept applications related to services for homeless families, youth homelessness or housing for refugees and asylum seekers.
- CRASH can only accept applications that relate to your buildings.
- Your charity must have a legal interest in the building, unless your application relates to requesting professional advice regarding a building you wish to lease or buy.
- Your charity needs to own the freehold for the building or hold the Lease. CRASH cannot consider applications for leases that have less than five years to run.
- Your building will be providing services at least 4 days a week.
- CRASH cannot consider applications where construction has already begun or will be beginning within the next two months.
For Hospice Charities
Your application must meet the following criteria:
- Your organisation must be a registered UK charity with the Charity Commission in England, Wales or Northern Ireland or a registered Scottish Charity.
- CRASH can only accept applications that relate to the buildings from which you deliver your services.
- Your charity must have a legal interest in the building, unless your application relates to requesting professional advice regarding a building you wish to lease or buy.
- Your charity needs to own the freehold for the building or hold the Lease. CRASH cannot consider applications for leases that have ten years or less to run.
- Your building will be used to deliver in-patient and or day services to people in need of end of life care (CRASH cannot consider applications for hospice charity shops).
- CRASH cannot consider applications where construction has already begun or will be beginning within the next two months.