Gateshead Estate Agent Offers 'Keys, No Fees' For Veterans
An estate agent is offering homeless ex-service personnel the chance to move into empty properties free of charge.
Paul Banning, who runs Belle Vue Estates Property Management in Low Fell, Gateshead, was moved to act after reading on social media about the plight of an Army veteran who was living on the streets.
The 53-year-old immediately thought about 27 homes on his books that were available to rent and wrote a Facebook post offering help to ex-service personnel.
Paul tells us the veterans could live in the property for free until a housing benefit claim came through. Having a permanent address would allow them to look for work.
The response has been “unbelievable”, he said, with more than 50,000 people sharing his post.
Next week he’ll meet with charities that help ex-service personnel and has had offers of furniture and tradesmen want to help renovate properties.
He’s now encouraging other estate agents across the country to do the same.
Paul said:
“I saw a photo of a guy in Wales who had only been out of the Army for 12 weeks and he was sitting on a street corner with a blanket on. It really frustrated me. He had served his country and there he was, sitting on a street corner.”
He added:
“There are genuinely people who haven't anywhere to go. Ex-servicemen, through no fault of their own, are coming out of the military with illnesses, whatever they may, and are finding it hard to get back into
Civvy Street. I'm going to do my best to try to help them."
The firm can be contacted at enquiries@bellevueestates.co.uk or by ringing 0191 491 3940.