At HOS, our Military Matters service offers help to members of the Armed Forces Community. The service provides information, advice and support to veterans and their families on all of the housing options available to them. This help is free and is tailored to each person who gets in touch with us. Below is a round-up of some of the ways our brokers have helped.
Tessa supported a vulnerable young person who was discharged from the armed forces unexpectedly. Due to the way he was discharged, the help he was entitled to was limited. Through her contacts and knowledge, Tessa was able to support the young person into military-specific transitional supported accommodation at Erskine. For transitioning Veterans living in their who need help to begin the next chapter of their lives, Erskine offers social, recreation and training facilities. Residents are also offered a bespoke personal support package tailored to suit their needs to help them move onto full-time employment and long-term suitable accommodation.
Eve helped a veteran who had been privately renting but was looking to move back to Glasgow with his young family after a relationship breakdown. He had also been given a notice to leave by his landlord. He didn’t know how this process works and wasn’t aware of the eviction ban, he just assumed that he had to leave the property on the date stated. Eve explained how the process works and about the eviction ban and he said that it had “lifted a huge weight off his shoulders.”
Ryan advised a young client who had recently been discharged from the Army. They were living with a parent but had been told to move out. Ryan contacted the client to find out what housing options they had already explored. After discussing their different options, Ryan sent the client advice on homelessness and social housing. Ryan also referred them to Citizens Advice Scotland for a benefits check and advice on their credit score. The client then decided to apply for social housing.
Finally, Jil and Ryan helped a veteran who was staying with a friend but wanted to move as staying in their current area was worsening their PTSD. They were interested in moving closer to family in the Highlands. Jil advised the client about the process of applying as homeless. The client was reluctant to complete a homeless application as they didn’t want to go into temporary accommodation. Jil explained that this wasn’t necessary and that they could continue staying with their friend until a permanent offer was made. Jil then sent info on homelessness and different veterans’ housing options. The client said they would like a referral to Op FORTITUDE, a centralised referral pathway into veteran supported housing. Ryan also encouraged them to present as homeless to the Highland Council and referred them to SSAFA. The client was offered a property in the Highlands and was assigned an SSAFA caseworker who could help with household goods.
It can be difficult to navigate your housing options alone. Our Housing Options Brokers are here to help and offer free, individualised support and advice. Get in touch or fill out one of our Get Help forms if you need guidance.
Our work with veterans would not be possible without help from external organisations. We would like to thank the Veterans’ Foundation, the Rangers Charity Foundation and The Worshipful Company of Grocers for their generous support.