Purvis reveals serious failings in veterans' housing (East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats)

East Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats <info@eastrenfrewshirelibdems.org.uk>

Purvis reveals serious failings in veterans' housing

April 8, 2009 4:44 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Convener of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Supporting Veterans, Jeremy Purvis MSP, has revealed that local authorities are ignoring government guidance to look at the armed forces backgrounds of applicants for social housing.

A Housing Circular published in February 2009 acknowledges that veterans who have been out of the army for some time are at risk of homelessness due to their time in the armed forces. It states that 'careful consideration' should be made of the potential vulnerability of former service personnel.

But Freedom of Information requests reveal that only a shocking 3 local authorities ask housing applicants if they've ever served in the armed forces. Over half of local authorities will pick up serving personnel or those applying from army housing, but this will not identify the higher number of former personnel in need of social housing.

This means that many veterans at risk of homelessness due to their time in the armed forces could miss out on the priority housing status to which they are entitled.

A report published today by Poppy Scotland reveals that 66% of armed service housing applicants are from service personnel who left the forces more than five years ago.

Commenting, Mr Purvis said:

"These figures are extremely alarming. They show that it is likely that veterans who have struggled to find or keep housing after leaving the forces may be missing out on priority status for social housing.

"Figures obtained using Freedom of Information laws show that only three local authorities ask housing applicants if they've ever served in the armed forces. Vulnerable veterans who may be struggling to adjust to civilian life are likely to slip through the net.

"We owe a debt to the ex servicemen and women who at the very least should expect that the government, councils and housing associations have a water tight mechanism of ensuring that when someone makes an application for a house they are proactively identified as a veteran.

"The information revealed today shows a very disappointing level of complacency in the way that veterans' housing needs are identified. The Scottish Government and COSLA need to address this as a matter of urgency."

Ends.