Thousands of Islington residents facing sudden costs, lost income or pressure from rising household bills could be helped through a new £4.1m Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Islington Council says the targeted support is designed as a safety net for people who need urgent help with essentials such as food, energy and household goods. Residents will be able to seek support through Access Islington and a range of trusted local partner organisations.
The money comes from the Government’s Department for Work and Pensions and will sit alongside the council’s wider cost-of-living work, including its Council Tax Support Scheme and benefits advice.
Who the new Islington fund is aimed at
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is aimed at residents who are struggling to cope with immediate financial pressure. The council described the support as targeted help for those who need it most, including people hit by sudden costs or a loss of income.
The announcement comes against a stark local backdrop: the council says one in five residents in Islington is living in poverty. That means a broken appliance, a delayed payment, a higher energy bill or a shortfall in income can quickly become a household crisis.
Cllr Una O’Halloran, Leader of Islington Council, said too many people are still struggling with the cost of living and that “even a small financial shock can quickly become a crisis” for many families.
What the Crisis and Resilience Fund can cover
The council says the fund will help cover essential household needs rather than general spending. The main examples given are food, energy and household goods.
| Support detail | What the council has said |
|---|---|
| Fund size | £4.1m |
| Main purpose | Emergency and resilience support for residents facing rising costs |
| Examples of help | Food, energy and household goods |
| How residents can seek help | Through Access Islington and trusted local partners |
| Funding source | Department for Work and Pensions |
The fund is being distributed by the council and partner organisations, which means residents may be able to access help through services they already use locally.
The practical picture for households
- Residents facing sudden costs or income loss are the clearest target group.
- Support is linked to essentials, including food, energy and household goods.
- Applications will be handled through Access Islington and local partner organisations.
- The fund is part of wider work on cost-of-living support, not a replacement for benefits checks or council tax help.
People already in contact with local advice services, housing support, community groups or council teams may want to ask whether they can be referred through one of the partner routes.
How this fits with wider council support
The new fund follows other local support measures in Islington. The council says its Council Tax Support Scheme has reduced bills by £28m for more than 24,000 homes.
Since April 2024, it says it has also helped residents secure more than £20m in unclaimed benefits. The council now plans to support residents to claim a further £5m in unclaimed benefits every year, alongside the £4.1m fund.
That benefits work matters because crisis payments can help with urgent pressure, while unclaimed benefits may provide more stable income over time. For residents trying to balance rent, food, energy and council tax, both forms of support can affect whether a short-term setback becomes long-term debt.
The announcement also follows a wider Islington focus on housing, safety and the cost-of-living crisis under the council’s current leadership.
Where residents should look next
Residents who think they may need help should contact Access Islington or ask a trusted local advice, community or support organisation whether they are involved in the fund.
Cllr O’Halloran said the council’s message to people struggling to make ends meet is that support should be available when it is needed most, while the borough works to tackle the root causes of financial hardship.
Source: Islington Council
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This article is based on Islington Council’s announcement and preserves the published figures, support routes and named funding source.
- Checked the announced fund value as £4.1m.
- Checked the stated support areas: food, energy and household goods.
- Checked the application routes named by the council: Access Islington and partner organisa...
- Checked the wider council figures: £28m council tax support, more than 24,000 homes and £2...
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- Islington Council
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- Islington
- Updated
- 2026-05-26 11:51
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