The Deposit Protection Service (the DPS) has made two new £10,000 donations to housing charities in Stockport and Reading.

The provider of deposit protection services established a fund last year to help charities that support the homeless and those who need help to live independently.

Daren King, head of tenancy deposit protection at the DPS, said: “Launchpad Reading and H3 in Stockport are doing excellent work helping people in need find a roof over their head.

“Over the last 18 months The DPS has given £120,000 to housing charities and we’re delighted to continue to fund such vital work.”

Launchpad Reading “helps vulnerable and disadvantaged people turn their lives around and fulfil their potential”.

Ian Caren, chief executive officer for Launchpad Reading, said: “Helping people find a home is at the very core of what Launchpad does.

“A home is the foundation of all of our support and with the generous donation from the DPS Charity Fund we will together be making a home a reality for many more disadvantaged people in Reading and helping to prevent homelessness in the town.”

H3 – which stands for Helping the Homeless into Housing – works alongside formerly homeless people to provide support to others from their community without a home, and runs a project called ‘Homefinder’, which helps people find somewhere to live.

Sheila Mason, a trustee at H3, said: “A lot of people would have very limited options for getting rehoused without Homefinder.

“We have recently reached a project milestone by housing 100 people since the programme began and being awarded £10,000 from the DPS Charity Donations Fund is a fantastic boost as it will allow us to continue helping local people move into a place they can finally call home.”

Previously charities in 12 different towns across the country have benefited from donations.