Tel: 0131 510 1567 Email: info@housingoptionsscotland.org.uk

Military Matters is a specialist project within Housing Options Scotland providing an independent housing advice service to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.  We offer clients a tailored individual service to review and consider their housing options whether they are already resident in Scotland or are considering living in Scotland in the future.

Thanks to financial support from the Scottish Government and Poppyscotland we have now provided detailed housing information and advice to dozens of serving personnel and veterans. The advice is free and we are already working alongside organisations such as SSAFA and the Armed Services Advice Programme (ASAP) in providing support to those who require it.  Our website explains how to access our services.

http://www.housingoptionsscotland.org.uk/

Tel: 01592 630922 Email: kingdom@ kingdomhousing.org.uk

Saltire Centre , Pentland Court , GLENROTHES KY6 2DA

Veterans’ Scotland Housing Group was asked by the Scottish Government to produce a report looking in detail at factors leading to or contributing to homelessness among people leaving the forces.

Containing 24 recommendations to improve the housing experience of veterans, the ‘Veterans’ Homelessness Prevention Pathway’ has been produced in partnership by Homeless Network Scotland, Housing Options Military Matters, Scottish Veterans Residences, Veterans Housing Scotland, Veterans Scotland and the report’s author is Dr Steve Rolfe, from the University of Stirling. It will feed into the government’s Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan, which includes Pathways similar to this one for other groups at particular risk.

Approximately 800 homelessness applications annually in Scotland are from households with a member who was previously in the Services. Concerns remain that the true figure could be higher. Veterans affected by homelessness are more likely than non-veterans to experience rough sleeping and other complex issues, with one estimate quoted in the Pathway report attributing service experiences as a cause of homelessness in around 25% of cases. Also highlighted in the report is that homelessness can occur many years after discharge from the Forces because of what is known as ‘delayed transition’ which can be due to a reluctance to seek help or the deferred impact of previous trauma.

The report highlights an additional housing challenge for military households in the degree of mobility they experience. Moving around can make it more difficult to buy a home until nearer the end of a military career, with single people often finding transition particularly difficult if they have lived in Armed Forces accommodation for many years.

Sam was a combat medical technician in Afghanistan before a knee injury and post traumatic stress disorder led to her being medically discharged. Sam could not find settled housing and was struggling to see a positive outcome until getting help from support organisations and the local council last year. Sam now has a home and a pet dog called Kiera – she is training to become a paramedic.

Sam said: “When I was preparing to leave the Army, I found it difficult to navigate the housing system, I had no knowledge of homelessness and in the job, everything is provided. I think people leaving the Forces find it hard to ask for help sometimes, either because of pride or just not knowing where to go. I am grateful to Housing Options Scotland, Veterans Housing Scotland and East Lothian Council. This place is so much more than a new home, it represents a new start and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped me along the way.”

Housing secretary, Shona Robison MSP, said: “I welcome this report and thank everyone involved for the time spent developing its recommendations. We’re working to end homelessness in Scotland once and for all. We are also continually aware of the great sacrifices that veterans have made – they cannot be allowed to suffer any disadvantage as a result of their service. This report highlights the challenges and where improvements can be made, and we will continue to review the findings as part of our work to ensure everyone in Scotland has a home that meets their needs.”

Kevin Gray, CEO of Veterans Housing Scotland and chair of the Veterans Scotland Housing Group, said: “Working with committed colleagues in the veterans community, charity sector and people with lived experience of homelessness willing to devote time and energy to produce a pathway that will prevent homelessness has been incredible, thank you to all those involved.

“Nobody should have to face homelessness and this report supports the overall aim of reducing and preventing homelessness for veterans in Scotland. It should be looked upon as a credible tool to support people who have served their country, moved on and require a settled home. Our aim must be to provide affordable and appropriate housing that allows military veterans and their families to lead active, dignified and positive lives when their service comes to an end, while remaining connected to support organisations throughout Scotland and networks of people with similar experiences.”

The 24 Recommendations are grouped around seven themes:

• appropriate timely information
• complexity of the housing system
• delayed transition effects – sustaining a tenancy
• coordination and awareness of veterans’ issues
• specific policy barriers
• equalities
• making sure the Pathway is implemented.

With one day of military service sufficient for someone to be classed as a veteran and diversity within the military increasing, the range of experiences and needs people have moving back into civilian life is recognised. Considering disability, equality, age, ethnicity and other characteristics a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer an option. The team preparing the report spoke to veterans, people with experience of homelessness and professionals providing support. The finished document adds to existing evidence as well as contributing a fresh perspective on what is needed to ensure everyone leaving the Services receives the type of support they need as quickly as possible.

Tel: 01252 787574 Email: RC-AWS-JSHAO-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Floor 2, Zone 2 , Montgomery House, Queens Avenue, Aldershot GU11 2JN

Provide civilian housing information to Service personnel and their dependants wishing to move to civilian accommodation at any time in their career, and for those during resettlement to assist with the transition to civilian life. They also assist in signposting or placement of, where possible, ex-Service personnel still occupying Service Accommodation who may need social housing.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/joint-service-housing-advice-office-jshao

Patrick Rendall – Welfare Manager
Tel: 01683 221173 Email: patrick.rendall@rafa.org.uk

Dowding House , Moffat DG10 9 AW

Dowding House is situated in Moffat in Scotland and has 26 flats. Any ex-RAF men or women, their widows and widowers who have reached normal retirement age may apply. Tenants must be able to live an independent life albeit within a secure environment.

http://www.rafa.org.uk/help-facilitiessupport-housing.asp

Tel: 0131 202 1585

Suite 3, Pure Offices, 4-5 Lochside Way, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh, EH12 9DT

Since our foundation in 1919, we have been there, through thick and thin, supporting the RAF family. We are there for all serving and former members of the RAF as well as their partners and dependent children.

http://www.rafbf.org/

Sara Addelsee – In- Pensioner Admissions Officer
Tel: 02078 815244 Email: saraaddelsee@chelsea-pensioners.org.UK-wide

Royal Hospital Road , London SW3 4SR

There are few institutions in the United Kingdom with an unbroken three centuries of service and none of them is so close to the heart of the nation as “The Men in Scarlet”, the Chelsea Pensioners, and their home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Founded in 1682 by King Charles II, the Royal Hospital still serves its original purpose and intends to continue to further its role well into the 21st Century and will be here for today’s young soldiers on the front line when they retire.

http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.UK-wide/home

Tel: 08458736464

www.sbhahomechoice.org.uk

Tel: 0141 332 8113 Fax: 0141 332 9684 Email: sfha@sfha.co.uk

Pegasus House , 375 West George Street, Glasgow G2 4LW

The SFHA is the national representative body for Scotland’s housing associations and co-operatives. Our affiliated members include, housing associations, registered housing associations and co-operatives throughout Scotland. You can search through them using the web address link below.

www.sfha.co.uk/component/option,com_membersdir/ltemid,149/view,membersdir/

Tel: 0131 558 8808 Email: info@svronline.org

53 Canongate , Edinburgh EH8 8BS

SVR is Scotland’s oldest ex-service charity, founded in 1910 to support independent living for ex-service men and women of all ages and their spouses who find themselves in times of need. SVR provides unique and unrivalled accommodation as well as supporting independent living. We enable our residents to live in a safe, secure and supportive community environment.

http://www.svronline.org/