Help The Homeless was founded in 1975 and shortly thereafter launched its first National Appeal chaired by Sir Robert Mark (the then Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police) which raised a substantial initial capital sum. Together with further donations and legacies since then, this capital has been carefully managed and invested to produce income which is distributed in the form of grants to charities and voluntary organisations throughout the UK. Typically, such organisations may operate small or medium-sized residential or training facilities to assist homelesss people in rebuilding their lives and finding their way successfully back into society.
Grants are made four times each year to assist in the purchase of capital equipment. Each application is considered on its merits by the Board of Trustees.
Help The Homeless is a cost efficient charity with very small overheads, and so is able to distribute a large proportion of its funds to the wide range of organisations nationwide that help some of the UK's most disadvantaged people. The reasons for being homeless vary enormously, but may include ill-health, those who are discharged offenders, drug and drink addicts or those who experience other adverse circumstances. Homelessness is not just about the people that the public sees and thinks about – principally “rough sleepers” living on the streets – but the whole range of people who lack a home.