Homelessness: Veterans – Parliamentary Written Answer

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of people with no fixed abode are armed forces veterans.

Kelly Tolhurst: The annual Statutory Homeless Release for April 2019 to March 2020 showed that, of the total number of households assessed as owed a homelessness duty, 0.7 per cent had a support need relating to having served in Her Majesty’s armed forces.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-10-30/109443

Thousands Of Homeless Veterans Slipping Through The Net

New analysis of government data points to the potential for up to 3,500 homeless veterans each year losing out on the housing and enhanced support available to them. The No Homeless Veterans campaign – backed by former army sergeant Dame Kelly Holmes – calls on councils to identify and support veterans in housing need and aims to reduce veterans’ homelessness to zero. A survey commissioned to coincide with the launch shows 80% of the British public think more needs to be done to identify and support veterans at risk of homelessness. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/thousands-of-homeless-veterans-slipping-through-the-housing-net/

Brokenshire Announces Funding Boost For Homeless Veterans

Veterans who have become homeless, or at risk of it, will be supported through an extra £1 million boost. The money will help ensure those who have served their country have a roof over their heads and have the support they need once leaving the Armed Forces. Money could also be used to direct former soldiers to existing specialist support services on offer, such as access to supported housing and training for staff on mental health issues, including PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and how to support those former service personnel who may initially be reluctant to receive help. Read more on the GovUK website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brokenshire-announces-funding-boost-for-homeless-veterans

New Campaign To Help Veterans In Council Housing

A new campaign is being set up to stop the “bias” against veterans getting council housing. Former housing minister Grant Shapps is the founder of the group, called Homes for Heroes Foundation,  aiming to ensure the best housing is available to veterans within the next four years, to coincide with 100 years since the original homes for heroes Housing Act was passed. The investigation into the campaign will find council housing priority is given to those with a strong local connection to the area and on the council waiting list. The campaign evidence suggests there could be a failing to apply statutory government guidance on prioritising veterans on social housing waiting lists.  Read more on 24dash.

Homelessness: Veterans – Parliamentary Written Answer

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department has taken to prevent homelessness among veterans.

Grant Shapps: This Government are committed to preventing and tackling homelessness and protecting the most vulnerable, including among veterans. The Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness will shortly publish its second report on preventing homelessness which will include veterans. The latest figures from CHAIN highlight that only 4% of rough sleepers from the UK have experience of the armed forces.  I am determined to ensure that current and former members of the armed forces gain the housing they deserve, recognising the sacrifices they have made for the country. I have therefore introduced measures to place members of the armed forces at the top of the priority list for home ownership schemes, including FirstBuy and instructing special agents to visit military bases to promote such schemes. We are also working with credit reference agencies and Royal Mail to standardise forces' post office addresses so personnel are not disadvantaged when applying for mortgages.  We have also recently finished consulting on proposals to change the law to make it easier for service personnel to access social housing so that former personnel with urgent housing needs are always given high priority on waiting lists, and that personnel who move from base to base do not lose their qualification rights. Under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 priority need is granted to a person who is vulnerable as a result of having been a member of Her Majesty's regular naval, military or air forces.

Response edited, read the full answer in Hansard by clicking on the link below.