MoD: Vital Royal Navy, British Army and RAF veteran housing grants issued for homeless after pledge challenged

Capital housing grants valued at £3.7m have been announced, with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer pledging that “homes will be there for heroes”. Financial benefits are being handed out to 14 organisations to support former Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Marine personnel.

The money will be used to set up plans to build more houses and construct them, as well as refurbishing existing properties to offer high quality and affordable housing for veterans. Alistair Carns OBE MC, Labour minister for veterans and people, said the government is determined to follow up on the promise to support former military personnel.

He said: “The prime minister has promised homes will be there for heroes, and this funding builds on that promise. This multi-million 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.”

The majority of the money is from the £20m Veterans Capital Housing Fund, which is put towards building social and affordable properties. Roofs, boilers and windows have been replaced at existing houses, as well as insulation, accessibility modifications and other energy saving measures. One of the grant recipients is Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) in Aylesford, Kent.

Chief Executive Lisa Farmer said the financial boost will help veterans for decades to come. “I am absolutely delighted that we can build more homes, and delighted that more veterans will be able to benefit from work opportunities here,” she added. “Veterans come from all over the UK to overcome health crises and homelessness, regroup and start over. More homes here mean access to work experience and a real community.”

David Appleby, an RAF veteran, is a beneficiary of the RBLI and was previously homeless after serving. He 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. Having my own front door again changed everything for me. I feel safe in the Centenary Village and I love being part of this community. It’s not just me. Lots of the friends I have made here are doing all kinds of things, my neighbour is a teacher now, he’s done so well, one of them is a chef, one of them is a ski instructor now.”

The government promise to house former service personnel was challenged in parliament earlier this week, with Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty stating that the government should do more than relaxing local connection and residency tests, making more houses available. Mr Carns responded by stating that Operation Fortitude has housed 700 veterans so far, with the programme being extended “to make sure every veteran has a home in due course”.