Data reveals forces charities' support to homeless people and services

Armed forces charities deliver housing support to at least 11,600 beneficiaries annually, and spend at least £40 million on housing alone.

Research released by the Directory of Social Change (DSC), funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), reveals that armed forces are often doing more to support ex-service personnel than local authorities.

According to the data, 47 charities provide accommodation services, collectively providing at least 4,700 properties across the UK.

Support services play an important role in helping beneficiaries to secure and maintain suitable housing, the report found. Common support services included signposting and help with housing searches/applications.

DSC discovered that almost half of the charities delivering housing support offered grants, the most common of which were awarded for home repairs and maintenance, and deposit payments.

The report called for greater collaboration with organisations outside of the armed forces charities sector to better support homeless ex-forces.

Researcher and lead author, Rhiannon Doherty, said: “Forces charities play a vital role in helping Serving personnel, veterans and their families to secure suitable housing.

“This report maps the diverse range of housing services delivered by forces charities, revealing a small sub-sector, which adopts a highly responsive, coordinated and collaborative approach to housing provision.”

Ray Lock, chief executive of Forces in Mind Trust, added: “This latest in the series of Focus On reports provides an independent and thorough analysis of armed forces charities providing housing support.

“It is a highly credible piece of research, and a ‘must read’ for anyone setting policy or delivering services around housing, or indeed anyone with an interest in the positive transition of ex-service personnel into civilian life.”