Rapid rise in veteran homelessness charities warn

Charities supporting former members of the Armed Forces have noticed a rise in the number of homeless veterans coming for help over the past two years with further increases expected.

The group of 12 charities are calling on local authorities and housing providers for help in identifying veterans at risk and pointing them towards the help they are entitled to.

Organisations, such as the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation (Stoll), Alabaré, Haig Housing, Help for Heroes, RAF Benevolent Fund and Housing Options Scotland, believe the rise is due to the impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

While help to find housing is available to veterans, the charities believe people are missing out because they are not being accurately identified.

The group’s new No Homeless Veterans Campaign calls on councils, housing providers and other homeless services to find veterans at risk, include them in housing strategies and find them appropriate housing as quickly as possible.

Richard Gammage, CEO of Stoll, which is coordinating the campaign, said: ‘Some former members of the Armed Forces, especially the most vulnerable, were already struggling before the pandemic. Now with the knock-on effects of Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis beginning to bite, we’re seeing a steep rise in veterans experiencing homelessness and in people with more severe and complex needs. We’re concerned that without action, the situation could get much worse.’

Since March 2020, some organisations have noticed a 50% jump in veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness looking for support.

A rise in the numbers of people with mental health issues has also been highlighted, as many of those coming for help are suffering with PTSD and depression.

Despite the government’s recent efforts to end rough sleeping, the pandemic has made the problem worse and a more coordinated approach between local services is required says the group of charities.

Andrew Lord, CEO of Alabaré, said: ‘During the pandemic, the Everyone In initiative was a monumental collaborative effort that saw rough sleepers housed in hotels and other protections for renters put in place. As a result, many lives were saved. But now we’re seeing existing challenges such as social isolation, anxiety and stress becoming even worse than before, and the progress made is falling away.’ 

Today, leaders of the campaign are hosting an event at the House of Lords to brief MPs and stakeholders on the issue.

Photo by Jon Tyson