Heroes without a home
Created By Tom Bennington Over a month ago
Why so many Armed Forces Veterans are homeless and what can we do?
Why so many Armed Forces Veterans are homeless and what can we do?
It is thought that upwards of 9,000 homeless in the UK are ex-Armed Forces, with over 1,000 in London alone. These are people who made personal sacrifices to put on a uniform and serve their country, a country which has now abandoned them.
There are a whole host of reasons why a service person can become homeless, the stresses of military life leave a palpable mark on anyone but more usual concerns such as a marriage break-up also play their part. What makes this so significant however is that soldiers, sailors and airmen are taught from the first day of selection to work as a team and to rely on the man or woman next to them for help.
The Military has a system of support for almost any conceivable issue, and attempts to ensure a retiring soldier is prepared for civilian life. But take that network away when someone leaves the service and homelessness can be the result.
Forces Reunited wants to put a stop to this and provide a support network that retiring service personnel can rely on, built by us and supported by ex-armed forces veterans. We aim to find UK landlords that would be willing to provide a home for a homeless Armed Forces veteran for up to three months, rent free. This will provide the energy to get the ball rolling. With an address, the veteran can get back on their feet and back on their way to stability.
If you are a landlord willing to provide a property to a Veteran, or you know of a homeless veteran in your area please contact us:
homeless-heroes@forcesreunited.org.uk
Recent forum posts for this campaign:
View the full forum thread
There is a simple solution to the problem of homelessness not just with regards to Veterans but all those who find themselves on the streets, for whatever reasons but the government seems more than happy to simply ignore an ever increasing problem. This was an idea I came up with in early 2017 when...
Originally Posted by
Shirley Henry
Hello John Daly,
Thank you for your kind concern. I gave this issue much thought and view it as I would a 'Bed &...
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Excellent Shirley,
Wish you the very best. J.D.
Hello John Daly,
Thank you for your kind concern. I gave this issue much thought and view it as I would a 'Bed & Breakfast' business, you trust your visitor is staying in good faith. I also have good contacts with the local police, RBL and social services, with this in...
Originally Posted by
Shirley Henry
I was homeless for a while following a neck and back injury in 1997 that has left me with mobility needs. I found that having a forces pension...
Read More
Good Evening Shirley,
Having read your most, generous, brave and kind offer i wonder if you are the Lady who made this some similar offer some time ag. time ago. If so or if not could i just say that Please proceed carefully with who you offering this too....
Just like to say thanks to Prestwick and Troon Veterans association of which i am a member,for £1000,to the veterans off the street ,they have been given a house in Ayrshire, so eight homeless vets are off the street, good work ,F. Valentine
So sorry to hear of your disability Shirley, but good on you gal, ....you have kept your dignity, mentality and sense of humour, well done, .......it just shows that ex forces look after ex forces, ...I have seen on google that you are way up north, I bet it is beautiful, keep safe, take care,
I was homeless for a while following a neck and back injury in 1997 that has left me with mobility needs. I found that having a forces pension excluded me from the then 'passport' benefit 'income support'. Had I not served my country I would have received income support and with it,
had my...
We have already seen the abuse of the "Food Banks" which a great idea to help the needy. There were not only families calling in and taking boxes of food away but some families had cars hidden around the corner.
As the lads have posted above , put our own first. ...
The Media at this time of year love to show the homeless sleeping on the streets and stress how much the figures has dramatically risen. From what i see there seems to be a large proportion these appear to be young , able bodied men. Now they can't all be druggies, alchies. lots of them are sat...
watch the british news,see how much britian sends to other countries in forien aid to help out war torn countries,there are to many do gooders that do not see or care about our homeless,rough sleepers, ex service personel or civilian british people,that are crying out for help,all I can say to the...