Alabaré chosen as Wiltshire partner to end Vets Homelessness
The government is investing £8.55 million of support
Last updated 7th Jul 2023
Veterans’ charity Alabaré has been selected as a government partner in Operation Fortitude to end homelessness of veterans.
Launched in December 2022 by Veterans’ Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer, £8.55 million was committed to ending the issue in the UK.
After several months working with The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund to commission services to form a pathway of support, Alabaré has been chosen as the partner for Wiltshire.
We spoke to Alabaré CEO Andrew Lord, who stressed that many veterans retintegrate to civilian life well, but there are some who need extra support.
“The reason they need extra support could be around the issues around relationship breakdown, addictions, debts, that loss of camaraderie from being in the military and that community they were very much part of.”
Alabaré provide a pathway of support, in which vets can access drop in centres. Once the charity has identified those wanting support, they can stay with the them for a two-year period.
“During that period they'll receive support from the staff who will seek to address and work with them to address the underlying issues of why they're became homeless.
“The aim of the pathway is to support them, to leave us, to move on into permit accommodation,” Andrew explained.
As part of Operation Fortitude, Alabaré are aiming to support 300 vulnerable veterans through the support pathway.
Andrew said: “essentially what the funding will allow us to do is to keep those homes open, carry on delivering this vital service part of the funding also will be allow us to enhance the service as well. What's absolutely key is that this group of homeless veterans who need support.”
Andrew welcomes the governments support, calling it “wonderful news” and a “great starting point”, but the funding only lasts two years.
He said: “The issue for us and as a sector we've got to do is this money is for two years and therefore the question is what happens at the end of two years.
“In two years’ time, there could be another cohort of veterans who find themselves homeless as well, so very much welcome the initiative very much welcomed the potential support that's being put into the sector. But then a future conversation is about what happens at the end of two years.”