IDENTIFYING THE HOUSING AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF HOMELESS VETERANS IN WALES

With a childhood marked by instability and trauma, having been in care since the age of six, Joe first joined Alabaré as a care leaver.

At 17, he was placed in private shared housing – only to be made homeless again when the landlord reclaimed the property. “With no support,” he recalled. “I didn’t have a clue what to do.” Joe shares his story of instability and life on the streets without a home as a young man.

Bryn was at his lowest point.  A veteran who had served in the RAF Regiment for 14 years, he found himself homeless after a breakdown in his relationship.

At first, he sofa-surfed until that door also closed, whereupon his situation spiralled after his savings went quickly on hotel accommodation, leaving him sleeping rough under a bridge in the middle of winter.

Kiah arrived at Alabaré just after her 18th birthday, she had endured years of housing instability and emotional trauma. Forced from her mother’s home at 15, she bounced between friends, partners, and family members, never truly safe or feeling settled.

Her move into supported accommodation marked a turning point in her life.

Sarah arrived at Hope House following a second suicide attempt, whereupon she had been placed in a coma for several weeks and was given a three per cent chance of survival.

A high-achieving professional, she had spent her life being in control, but when her marriage ended abruptly, coupled with feelings of friends and family betrayals, it triggered a complete emotional breakdown. She describes feeling like “the walls had caved in,” with no clear way out.

Jack, a young man with learning difficulties, moved into ALABARÉ’s supported accommodation 4 years ago. With a strong house community, he has built a life that provides independence and joy.

Jack, 27, lives with five other residents, he has his own double bedroom, decorated with his belongings and posters of his favourite wrestling stars. He describes feeling happy in the house, enjoying gaming, music, and especially cooking – his favourite meal is fish cakes with chips and peas.

Eli came to the UK in his twenties as a recruit from St Lucia to join the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), fulfilling a lifelong dream of joining the British Army.

His vision was to help others, explore the world, and assist in humanitarian crises. However, after several successful years in service, Eli’s career took a dramatic turn when he was convicted of dangerous driving, leading to an immediate dismissal from the job he cherished.