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New Housing Support Project Launched to Prevent Homelessness Among UK Armed Forces Personnel

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new £30,000 housing support project has been launched to help prevent homelessness among individuals in the North East who are leaving the UK's Armed Forces. The project, led by Gateshead Council, Durham County Council, Believe Housing, and Newcastle City Council, aims to provide early, specialist housing advice to service personnel and their families as they transition to civilian life. The project responds to the recommendations of the Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness study, which highlighted the importance of early housing support in preventing homelessness.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS) has been awarded £30,000 by the Forces in Mind Trust to launch a pilot housing support project at Catterick Garrison.
  • The project will be led by Gateshead Council, Durham County Council, Believe Housing, and Newcastle City Council, and will provide a dedicated housing adviser with lived experience of the Armed Forces.
  • The adviser will provide face-to-face support to service personnel and their families, including guidance on housing options, support with documentation, and referral to other services where appropriate.
  • The project aims to embed expert, tailored advice at the point of discharge, helping service leavers and their families better navigate housing challenges and reduce the risk of homelessness.
  • The project will be a 12-month pilot and will gather learning and data to be shared nationally, supporting a longer-term shift in how local authorities and housing providers deliver services to the Armed Forces community.
  • Councillor Chris Buckley, cabinet member for housing at Gateshead Council, stated that transitioning to civilian life can be complex, and housing is a critical part of that journey.
  • Lieutenant Colonel David Marshall, Deputy Commander Joint Military Command North (Army), added that the project is vital in achieving the military community's vision to make the military community in the north the best it can be.

Statistics:

  • £30,000 - the amount awarded by the Forces in Mind Trust to launch the pilot housing support project.
  • 12 months - the duration of the pilot project.
  • 1 dedicated housing adviser - the number of staff who will be providing face-to-face support to service personnel and their families.
  • Catterick Garrison - the location of the pilot project, which is the UK's largest military base.
  • 3 local authorities - Gateshead Council, Durham County Council, and Newcastle City Council - are working in partnership to deliver the project.

Sources:

  • Forces in Mind Trust. "£30,000 awarded for Armed Forces outreach service." (No date listed)
  • Gateshead Council. "New housing support project to prevent homelessness among Armed Forces personnel." (No date listed)
  • Believe Housing. "Armed Forces Outreach Service launches new housing support project." (No date listed)

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