Ex-armed forces staff seek most help

Of all the people advised last year by homelessness charity
Shelter’s UK-wide housing aid centres, two-thirds were ex-armed
forces personnel, according to the latest figures.

The announcement follows the publication of Shelter’s report into
its armed forces project run at the military corrective training
centre, which advises people on their housing options before they
leave.

The report says that resettlement packages were not available for
all those leaving the armed forces and personnel were being
discharged without any money or access to specialist advice.

Of the 90 people being discharged from the centre, 60 were
considered vulnerable and in priority need of housing.

Shelter’s director of housing services Christine Parish said that,
without proper support and advice, ex-services personnel could
easily become homeless. “People can be terribly vulnerable once
they leave the armed services,” she said. “The stability and
support of forces life are no longer there and they can feel
totally alone as they try to adjust to civilian life.” 

– Armed Forces Project Report 2001 – 2002 from www.shelter.org.uk/media/armedforces.asp