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Veterans Issues
Homelessness
Introduction
Communities and Local
Government
Veterans Policy Unit
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Project Compass
Ex-Service Action Group on Homelessness
Directory Services (help, advice, support, accomodation
etc)
Veterans Policy Unit
No Home But Not Alone / Finding Homes Fit For Forces Heroes / Help for homeless veterans
At a meeting in September, the Ministry of Defence's (MOD's) Veterans Policy Unit reached an agreement with the ex-Service Action Group on Homelessness (ESAG) which will fast-track the assistance it provides homeless veterans.
ESAG
was established ten years ago in response to a report which highlighted the
fact that one in four homeless people were veterans.
Comprising representatives
from ex-Service welfare organisations such as The Royal British Legion, Combat
Stress and the Army Benevolent Fund, ESAG's purpose is to identify the scale
and nature of ex-Service homelessness and devise and support initiatives
that help to alleviate the problem.
Prior to September's meeting, many homeless
veterans arrived on ESAG's doorstep seeking help but lacking any proof of
having served in HM Armed Forces. This often resulted in time-consuming correspondence
between ESAG and the MOD to establish Service records. Now, as a result of
the agreement, ESAG can telephone the Veterans Advice Team (part of Veterans
Agency) for quick confirmation. This new initiative will greatly speed up
the delivery of ESAG services.
Rick Brunwin, Chair of ESAG has said "The fast-track access to Service records set up by Service Personnel and Veterans Agency for veterans charities is one of the many simple but effective ideas that has emerged as a result of our joint working with the MOD.
"Those of us working with homeless veterans, many of whom are rootless and transient, often have only a small 'window' of opportunity in which to capture and secure for them the solutions that will put an end to their homeless ways.
"Having fast-track access to their service records ensure that veteran's charities can therefore respond quickly and effectively to secure the right resources at the moment they are most needed."
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency also helps the homeless direct. It recently received a call via the Helpline (0800 169 2277) from a despairing, penniless and homeless veteran in a London telephone box. He was promptly put in touch with the ex-Service Fellowship Centre, a London-based organisation that was able to provide him with immediate accommodation and sustenance.
