Housing for veterans across the UK to get a multimillion-pound booster
More homes will be delivered for former British military personnel under plans by the Government to award millions of pounds to 14 veteran housing providers across the UK.
The new plans will benefit hundreds of veterans across the UK from new or refurbished homes – building on the Prime Minister's pledge that "homes will be there for heroes".
"The Prime Minister has promised homes will be there for heroes, and this funding builds on that promise," said Veterans Minister Alistair Carns.
Mr Carns said: "This multimillion-pound award, distributed right across the UK, is an important step in our journey to deliver a sustainable supply of social and affordable veteran housing by supporting the sector to build new housing or refurbish current homes.
"Coupled with this Government's commitment to exempt all our veterans from local connection social housing rules in England, we're making huge strides to ensure all veterans have access to the warm and welcoming accommodation they deserve."
Most of the £3.7m funding will come from the Veterans Capital Housing Fund, which has awarded nearly £3m in funding since March.
Some of the organisations that have already benefited include the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), Bournemouth War Memorial Homes, Beyond the Battlefield, Hull 4 Heroes, and Veteran Housing Scotland.
These grants are aimed at creating plans to deliver new-build projects, refurbish existing properties and provide affordable accommodation for veterans.
The scheme will work with the support of the Office for Veterans' Affairs, NHS England's Op Courage, the collective name for an NHS mental health and wellbeing service created in 2017 specifically with the Armed Forces community in mind, and Op Fortitude, which supports veterans in social housing.
RBLI chief executive Lisa Farmer said: "I am absolutely delighted that we can build more homes and delighted that more veterans will be able to benefit from work opportunities here."
RAF veteran and RBLI service user David Appleby said: "When I was homeless, I could not see any way out.
"It was the lowest point of my life. Since I came to RBLI I have been able to turn things around."
RBLI director of welfare Julie Walker Jopson said: "A warm bed is just the beginning for people who have lost everything, and our brand-new community centre is immediately next door to the new homes.
"This grant is truly helping veterans build a second life after service."
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