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Higher homelessness risk for war veterans



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Published Date: 07 May 2008
By STEPHEN MCGINTY
MORE than 1,000 veterans of the armed forces are homeless according to figures revealed by the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Veterans' Conference in Edinburgh was told that for the first time statistical evidence was available to support the perception that veterans can be more vulnerable to becoming homeless.

Between April and October 2007, 1,048 vetera
ns applied to local authorities across Scotland as homeless, roughly 4 per cent of all applications. The number then assessed by the local authorities as "homeless" was 85 per cent, compared with an average figure for non- veterans of 73 per cent.

It was also found that 12 per cent of veterans admitted sleeping rough at least once in the previous three months, compared to an average for non-vets of about 10 per cent.

The conference, which was organised by Veterans Scotland, an umbrella group of over 30 organisations that assist Scotland's estimated 600,000 veterans, was attended by Derek Twigg, the government minister for veterans, and Stewart Maxwell, the communities minister, who announced the creation of the Scottish Veterans' Fund.

Worth £127,000 over the next three years, it will be targeted at projects and organisations working directly with veterans and their families.







The full article contains 207 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 06 May 2008 9:34 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: British armed forces
 
1

brian mcc,

the arctic 07/05/2008 01:25:12
What could be the reasons for veteran homelessness? Perhaps something they have seen or done whilst in theatre. I am not a mental health professional, but my closest friends are combat veterans.
2

Gordon Angus,

Sydney not the Australian One. 07/05/2008 05:29:55
The main reason why there are so many homeless ex-servicemen, is not because of the effects of war trauma, but, because SNP and other Socialist Councils will not put them on their housing list. Single persons who come to Scotland from overseas as illegal migrants, have a better chance of getting council housing than a British soldier who has served his country!!!!! Our Regimental Association has been trying for some ten years to rectify this inequality to no avail, and a great deal of their limited resources have been spent assisting those in need of accommodation.
Yours,
G/.
3

Lillig,

07/05/2008 08:43:40
I saw an interesting documentary recently on this very subject - and it was really tragic. Many veterans were homeless for complex reasons, many of them linked to their experiences as soldiers. It seems that there is not enough help for many of them to re-integrate into society.

It must be difficult to adjust to civilian life, after being in the armed forces, being part of a large group of people sharing the same kind of experiences which are quite unknown - and cannot be understood - by the rest of us who haven't shared that experience.

I think it is disgraceful that people who risked their lives in the name of the country, are reduced to this. But, I also think that it is part of a bigger problem in the UK. Housing stocks were sold off - something I cannot fathom. If people can afford to buy a house, let them do so on the open market. Council house building was not increased to cover the shortfall.

We are facing a chronic shortage of council housing and, with the onslaught of immigrants entering the country, this shortage is amplified. The concept of what it means to be homeless has to be redefined and the government has to do something urgently to protect its population - including ex service personnel who deserve better.
4

Upbeat,

07/05/2008 09:30:56
The way housing authorities respond to this should take into account the background of the applicant.

But it should surprise no one that people who have been trained to make the best of any situation in which they find themselves, and have also been conditioned to display self confidence and pride, should find it hard to relate to the few challenges faced in the sheltered life of any civilian.

That some of these same veterans are also likely to be very reluctant to admit failure when things have gone wrong and they need support almost goes without saying.
5

JT,

07/05/2008 13:31:30
Its shocking how we treat our service personnel generally but once they are of no use and leave its everyperson for themselves. Alot of people who suffer mental problems are tossed out and told to get on with it, and with the squeeze on affordable housing for all let alone them is it any wonder this is a problem.
6

Paula,

07/05/2008 22:37:31
Lord but don't we treat our heroes well...hmm

 

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