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New Housing Support Project Launched to Prevent Homelessness Among Service Leavers in the North East

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A £30,000 funding award from the Forces in Mind Trust has been allocated to launch a pilot housing support project at Catterick Garrison, the UK's largest military base. The project aims to prevent homelessness among those leaving the Armed Forces in the North East, by providing early, specialist housing advice. Led by Gateshead Council, Durham County Council, Believe Housing, and Newcastle City Council, the 12-month project will embed a dedicated housing adviser on-site at Catterick Garrison to provide face-to-face support to service personnel and their families.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project is a response to the Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness study, which identified early specialist housing advice as critical in preventing homelessness among service leavers.
  • A dedicated housing adviser with lived experience of the Armed Forces will be embedded on-site at Catterick Garrison to provide support to service personnel and their families.
  • The adviser will provide guidance on housing options, support with documentation, and referral to other services where appropriate.
  • The project aims to help service leavers and their families better navigate the challenges of accessing suitable secure housing and reduce the risk of homelessness.
  • Councillor Chris Buckley, Gateshead Council, emphasized the importance of transitioning to civilian life and ensuring that veterans and their families have the support they need to settle confidently into civilian life.
  • Learning and data gathered from the project will be shared nationally to support a longer-term shift in how local authorities and housing providers deliver services to the Armed Forces community.

Statistics:

  • £30,000 funding award from the Forces in Mind Trust to launch the pilot housing support project.
  • 12-month project duration.
  • Dedicated housing adviser will be embedded on-site at Catterick Garrison to provide face-to-face support to service personnel and their families.
  • Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness study recommending early specialist housing advice as critical in preventing homelessness.

Sources:

  • Forces in Mind Trust (no date)
  • Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness study (no date)
  • Gateshead Council (no date)
  • Durham County Council (no date)
  • Believe Housing (no date)
  • Newcastle City Council (no date)

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