Alabaré to Support Landmark Forces First Government Policy
Alabaré has welcomed a landmark Government policy that prioritises housing for former service personnel on newly developed homes built on surplus Ministry of Defence land.
Alabaré welcomes a landmark Forces First Government policy that prioritises housing for former service personnel in newly developed homes built on surplus Ministry of Defence land.
Defence Secretary John Healey announced plans for the ‘Forces First’ policy at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool (Monday, 29 September).
The measure is designed to ‘make home ownership a reality for more service personnel and veterans’, with a further £1.5 billion also pledged by the Government towards improving the standard of military accommodation.
Alabaré is pleased to see increased support for those who’ve served the country to get onto the housing ladder, at a time when there’s a rising level of demand to help those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The charity’s supported living accommodation aids veterans by providing homes, restoring hearts, and empowering minds to break the cycle of homelessness across several locations throughout the South West of England and Wales.
Over the last year, Alabaré’s seen a 122% increase in veterans being referred to them and directly helped over 150 with both practical and holistic support towards independent and fulfilling lives.
Andrew Lord, Alabaré Chief Executive, said:
“The Defence Secretary’s ‘Forces First’ government policy to give veterans and service personnel ‘first dibs’ on housing built on surplus MoD could go some way to breaking the cycle of homelessness for households before it even begins.
“We’re seeing a growing level of need within the veteran community for affordable, high-quality accommodation, with many of our Homes for Veterans residents looking for support to regain their confidence, sense of self-worth, and camaraderie that they had within the forces.
“Having housing on MoD land to help tackle the problem, while also improving military accommodation as a whole, is to be welcomed and we’d be keen to work with the Government on the next steps to ensure veterans are better supported as they move into civilian life.”
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