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Ex-service Personnel and Veterans
This page is about homelessness among ex-service personnel and veterans. According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the term 'veteran' is used to mean all those who have served in the HM Armed Forces (whether Regular or Reserve) and this group is also known as ex-service personnel.
CONTEXT
Under Section 189 of the Housing Act 1996, a homeless person will have a priority need for rehousing if s/he is vulnerable as a result of "having been a member of Her Majesty’s regular naval, military or air forces".
Several factors make ex-service people more vulnerable to homelessness than the population at large. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a serious mental health condition, is increasingly common among soldiers returning from combat, and can prevent ex-service personnel from finding suitable employment or living unsupported. More information on PTSD is available at
Professional pressures also present problems to finding stable housing for soldiers and their families, as they move frequently to new postings. Housing advice and support for soldiers’ families is available from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.
Being released into the community after leaving the forces or finishing a posting is also a problem, particularly for single individuals. The Centre for Housing Policy commissioned a report Experiences of Ex-Service Personnel in London from the University of York in 2008, which contains interviews with ex-service personnel. It also analyses the impact of active service on the mental health and housing outcomes of ex-service people.
Research from our 2010 Survey of Needs and Provision (SNAP) suggests that while levels of homelessness among ex-service personnel is not high, it is widespread. Approximately half the day centres in England reported that they work with some ex-service personnel, however second stage accommodation reported much lower rates. This suggests that ex-service personnel do face a high risk of falling into patterns of rough sleeping, albeit for fairly short periods.
Research by the Centre for Housing Policy at York University in 2008 found that an estimated six per cent of London’s non-statutory homeless population had served in the Armed Forces. Although this represented a substantial drop from the proportion (approximately one quarter) reported in the mid-1990s, it showed that a higher proportion of ex-service personnel have alcohol, physical and/or mental health problems compared to the rest of the rough sleeping population. Only a small minority reported vulnerabilities and support needs that were unique to people with a history of the Armed Forces, such as combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
SOLUTIONS
The research, above, by York University evaluated the effectiveness of interventions in preventing rough sleeping and homelessness among ex-service personnel in London. Some of the solutions it identified included: raising awareness in the Forces around Early Service Leavers; being more proactive in monitoring the wellbeing of service people after discharge; breaking the ‘shame’ barrier felt by service personnel when accepting help, and greater provision of move-on accommodation for those not ready to deal with independent tenancies.
Our Hostel Handbook also features resources for practitioners on how they can deal effectively with ex-services homeless.
RESOURCES
- Findings from our Survey of Needs and Provision related to ex-service personnel, including the proportion of ex-service personnel in homelessness services
- Homeless UK also has specific listings of specialist advice agencies which give advice on homelessness and other issues to ex-service personnel
- MoD Veterans Agency has a webpage on homelessness and a freephone veterans helpline (0800 169 22 77)
- Veteran Aid have a drop-in centre and a hostel, both based in London, and offer support with accommodation, financial support, advice and advocacy, meal vouchers and clothing. They also run a freephone helpline (0800 012 68 67)
- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) can give help with housing problems for ex-servicemen and women. They offer supported housing for injured ex-servicemen and separated women and children of servicemen. They also publish a guide for ex-servicemen who are homeless or in vulnerable situations
- For more a more detailed study see What's in a Name?
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