We are providing homes and support for a further 15 military veterans across Devon as part of a targeted programme to tackle the issue of homelessness.
With funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has awarded £300,000 to LiveWest under the Reducing Veterans' Homelessness programme to continue the New Seasons project, which began in September 2023.
This is in addition to the £995,000 we were awarded in 2023 as part of our work to provide homes and support for 60 military veterans in the county.
The money is being used to support our New Seasons Veterans Supported Housing Project –based in Devon working closely with Operation FORTITUDE to help end veteran homelessness in the UK.
Operation FORTITUDE is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund, through the OVA's Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme, to deliver a centralised referral pathway to help veterans find suitable housing.
Working with charities, Operation FORTITUDE will provide a single central point for local authorities and charities to identify those in need and refer them to a network of support.
Whether a veteran is at risk of or experiencing homelessness, we will work with the veterans to help find them suitable accommodation, offer support in their current home and support them on their journey to independent living.
An investment of almost £3m from the Office of Veterans’ Affairs (Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme) will also enable veterans to access supported housing schemes across the country and wrap-around specialist care in health, housing, education and employment.
Supported housing schemes in Exeter, Torquay, Plymouth, Honiton and Newton Abbot have already been set up by LiveWest for veterans.
Mandy Martin, our Service Lead for Adults and Families’ Housing, said: “We are delighted to be chosen again as a partner of this fantastic programme which is designed to support military veterans experiencing challenges in their lives.
“Many veterans will face significant challenges when they leave the forces, and some end up homeless.
“By providing homes and offering our support for the veterans, we have been able to give space and an opportunity to rebuild their confidence, self-esteem and worth to help to recover their lives and plan and shape their future.
“LiveWest is passionate about supporting people and the aim is to develop an environment for people to thrive, build connections and help them on their path to independent living in the future.”
The underlying issues causing a military veteran to be at risk of homelessness could be one or more of a range of issues, including trauma, relationship breakdown, isolation, income challenges, employment, mental or physical health, substance misuse etc.
New Seasons has a team of skilled Support Workers alongside the Team Manager and Team Leader who work in collaboration with many veteran specific partner agencies.
Minister for Veterans and Peoples, Al Carns, said: “This vital funding demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no veteran faces homelessness after serving our nation.
“Building on the success already achieved through the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme, these awards will provide life-changing support to over 1,000 veterans across the UK.”
LiveWest has a history of supporting veterans with homes, one of which was the Nelson Project, in Plymouth, which is a multi award-winning scheme including 12 self-build homes for military veterans.
We also have a block of 10 flats in Bristol which was a self-build project for veterans.
Last year we completed another self-build project in Plymouth called Stirling House which contains 12 homes which were helped built by former service personnel in need of housing.