tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post32634183365377705..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: How Do We Find Housing For Ex Service Personnel?Iain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9332315581840417182010-02-09T23:55:03.235+00:002010-02-09T23:55:03.235+00:00Haig Homes is the specialist housing association y...Haig Homes is the specialist housing association you are looking for. It is a charitable housing association providing housing assistance for ex-Service people in housing need (whether recently having left the Services or any time afterwards. With over 1,300 homes spread throughout the UK with access to some university type accomodation specifically for single ex-Service leavers who are also looking for employment Applicants' length of Service is taken into account. You can find all details at www.haighomes.org.uk. Tel 020 8685 5777Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09461092525464394804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63745952941459734862009-09-22T07:59:19.235+01:002009-09-22T07:59:19.235+01:00Iain,
Maybe Veterans Aid can help? VA is the lea...Iain, <br /><br />Maybe Veterans Aid can help? VA is the leading charity for homelessness among veterans in the UK<br /><br />http://www.veterans-aid.net/<br /><br />http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34605065358<br /><br />HarryHarry Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-70296866459068437212009-09-22T02:03:58.877+01:002009-09-22T02:03:58.877+01:00when the Borough Council I sit on drew up its home...when the Borough Council I sit on drew up its homelessness strategy we had a list of nine priority groups when assessing housing need. I quote:<br /><br />"A household is considered to be in priority need under the following circumstances:...<br />9. People who are vulnerable as a result of spending time in the Armed Forces or having been in prison or remanded in custody."<br /><br />I of course pointed out in a Group Meeting that it was simply obscene that members of the armed forces were not only ninth out of nine, but also on a par with convicted criminals, but was told that this priority list was set out in national legislation and it was not within the council's power to modify it.Mark M Heenanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18099466567373992700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21568773648684608332009-09-22T00:32:40.132+01:002009-09-22T00:32:40.132+01:003 Para? He'll know my brother. Any chance I ca...3 Para? He'll know my brother. Any chance I can find out who he is and where he is?Doubting Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507892426345836143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88159102968567101962009-09-22T00:02:15.593+01:002009-09-22T00:02:15.593+01:00The whining noises from several posters drowned ou...The whining noises from several posters drowned out anything useful they were trying to say.<br /><br />Yes. Life's so easy when you are perfect.Martin Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04148241391183658112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-72585433488869301882009-09-21T23:20:27.275+01:002009-09-21T23:20:27.275+01:00Interested too in the 'he should pull himself ...<i>Interested too in the 'he should pull himself together' lines frmm several posters. Yes, he should...if he can</i><br /><br />Very good point and well made.<br /><br />A soldier leaves the forces after spending many years insulated, because of their job, from the normal routine of society, then is thrust into that society unprepared, yes, even with what is laughably called resettlement.<br /><br />Until you've been there it is difficult to appreciate, especially for someone insulated against what it is like to be pushed from pillar to post every few years at best and having never put down any real roots.Houdinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02299827686189026014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31307569671073513372009-09-21T22:14:54.382+01:002009-09-21T22:14:54.382+01:00In my experience the problems are often psychologi...In my experience the problems are often psychological. Historically the Army hasn't deal well with post-traumatic stress as it didn't really want to admit it existed<br /><br />Interested too in the 'he should pull himself together' lines frmm several posters. Yes, he should...if he canCynichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04852867933348403214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19131887627988595492009-09-21T22:10:10.541+01:002009-09-21T22:10:10.541+01:00I have been an A&E staff nurse ( male )for 25 ...I have been an A&E staff nurse ( male )for 25 years <br /><br /><br />...and I am sure you did a brilliant job but how often did people try to kill you because of the job you did?Cynichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04852867933348403214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13822451682918616512009-09-21T21:19:09.586+01:002009-09-21T21:19:09.586+01:00Just add there are lots and lots and LOTS of anony...Just add there are lots and lots and LOTS of anonymongs with a a lot to say in how he wasted 25 years isn't there?Houdinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02299827686189026014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16813273998629394252009-09-21T21:16:13.793+01:002009-09-21T21:16:13.793+01:00Ask the council of wherever to treat him as though...Ask the council of wherever to treat him as though he was an Afghan/Iraqi/Pakistani, migrant/illegal immigrant or whatever, and bingo! A house and full amenities included!<br /><br />Seems to work for everyone else, why not ex-squaddies? I had the same problem many years ago but a house was quickly found by the council...mind you that was just pre-Labour 1997.Houdinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02299827686189026014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30481063620645277282009-09-21T20:24:09.967+01:002009-09-21T20:24:09.967+01:00The Royal British Legion does have housing availab...The Royal British Legion does have housing available for ex service personnel scattered through out the UK.<br /><br />http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/can-we-help/poppy-homes/information-databaseTrue Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16296161522047947133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-61951026633824169042009-09-21T19:51:56.827+01:002009-09-21T19:51:56.827+01:00There is no institutional problem here Ian, it mus...There is no institutional problem here Ian, it must be personal.<br /><br />I can vouch from my own experience that the armed forces resettlement scheme is second to none. So is the pension.<br /><br />I can also vouch that coming back to civvy street is a massive shock to the system, especially educational courses which seem to take an age stating the bleeding obvious and delivering over 9 months what the services would do in less than 6 weeks.<br /><br />Seems to me your soldier needs a simple and caring helping hand, far better than just throwing dosh at him in the belief that money is the answer. <br /><br />On the wider scale, why do politicians think that money solves ALL?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4373207474336369112009-09-21T19:40:43.464+01:002009-09-21T19:40:43.464+01:00I joined up in the early sixties - there never has...I joined up in the early sixties - there never has been any assistance in this regard. You were expected to stand on your own two feet in these matters. And there are thousands of us out there.<br />I did ten and a half years and those sort of payments (referred to by Anonymous 1:51 p.m) were not on the contract then for anything under 22 years - indeed the "termination of service" element didn't exist even for the 5th 5, never mind the 22.<br />The local council where I was stationed wouldn't put us on the waiting list until I left as I was in quarters. Our home town council would not as we lived elsewhere even though we were returning home. Thanks to very loving,caring in-laws we moved in with them and, due to having obtained a good job, managed to climb on the bottom rung.<br />Be difficult now, I suspect, given the circumstances.<br />However, with his length of service, this guy will have a pension, a wage if he is employed and jobseeker's plus perhaps other benefits available if he isn't. His problem is what, exactly ? He can rent, can't he ? <br />Other service charities/organisations are there which can help should he have any other reasons for being in such a position.<br />Sorry, Iain. I fail to see a need for another association in these matters just for assistance in what is an everyday occurrence.gongdonkeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35587204058672206812009-09-21T19:16:47.064+01:002009-09-21T19:16:47.064+01:00Sorry Ian, but you should have used a better examp...Sorry Ian, but you should have used a better example to make your point. He's had 25 years to sort his housing out. He also has a pension - regular income unlike his civilian counterparts. He also has 3x his annual pension as a tax-free lump sum which he can increase through the commutation process.<br /><br />There are more deserving cases leaving the Armed Forces - those who have to leave before the immediate pension point and get very little in comparison until they are 65.<br /><br />Before you go off at at a tangent and accuse me of not supporting the Armed Forces, I retired from the Army a couple of years ago after 30 years service.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-27316923354679135712009-09-21T19:03:15.342+01:002009-09-21T19:03:15.342+01:00So he's got money in the bank, maybe. And? Are...So he's got money in the bank, maybe. And? Are huge numbers of people falling over themselves to let property to unemployed ex-squaddies? Particularly one of No Fixed Abode who can't provide a landlord reference? No matter if they can afford it or not?<br /><br />The number of "no DSS" ads for flats is quite shocking... but I do suspect this isn't a typical case.The King of Wrongnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67157798800769585032009-09-21T17:56:38.249+01:002009-09-21T17:56:38.249+01:002nd attempt!
I doubt the facts as stated
The Arm...2nd attempt!<br /><br />I doubt the facts as stated<br /><br />The Army will have been hassling him for at least 21/2 years to get his resettlement sorted and I doubt that after 42 years this is not so<br /><br />While there can be issues with council housing waiting lists, schools etc he will be leaving with a commutated pension, and a resttlement grant plus over 2 years resettlement advicestarfishnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77296103893744941042009-09-21T17:50:10.064+01:002009-09-21T17:50:10.064+01:00Iain- why don't you start a campaign to lower ...Iain- why don't you start a campaign to lower our subscription to the EU by one billion pounds per year, a fee for the EU using our soldiers like mercenaries or better still cut the stupid development budgets, where we give China, India aid.<br /><br />Charity begins at home and giving our service personnel the best is the only charity I believe in.The Purplelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824474829595685623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20901970040270704462009-09-21T17:48:46.529+01:002009-09-21T17:48:46.529+01:00How about prioritising UK citizens ahead of non-na...How about prioritising UK citizens ahead of non-nationals when offering social housing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-10756786412784894872009-09-21T17:32:50.414+01:002009-09-21T17:32:50.414+01:00Iain, I think this is an excellent idea and one th...Iain, I think this is an excellent idea and one that should certianly get off the ground. The proportion of homeless that are ex-services is worryingly disproportionate.<br /><br />I advise Housing Associations on various forms of asset management and would glady give any help that I could for such a worthy cause.<br /><br />In terms of setting up the correct vehicle to achieve the aims I would suggest contacting the National Housing Federation (http://www.housing.org.uk/) who represent housing associations, for further advice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88735745018205787262009-09-21T17:31:57.901+01:002009-09-21T17:31:57.901+01:00It's more widespread than you might suppose. ...It's more widespread than you might suppose. There are many ex-military who have found it profoundly difficult to adjust back to civilian life. If you take a look at ARRSE you'll see many mentions of this - and get a feel for how grim things are for the armed services generally.<br /><br />The RBL does tremendous work in looking after these folks, but there's nowhere near enough resource. I'm not convinced that the simple provision of housing is the whole answer. It's a combination of support which is needed - and some of that is to do with emotional (all right, psychological) support. These ex-soldiers often feel alienated from civilians - often justifiably. They have lost their families (their Regiments and fellow soldiers - their support groups) and are having to start over. It's almost the same as for anyone emigrating to another country.<br /><br />A housing association is a good idea, but of course it would need to be as geographically spread as the recruitment areas of the forces - i.e. UK wide. However it might also be sensible for anyone thinking of starting such a venture to contact the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF), too.<br /><br />Frankly I doubt that the Ministry of Defence would take an interest - unless it was embarrassed into doing so. We have a moral duty to helping these problem cases, but MoD doesn't really understand that concept - or chooses not to. True, there are various courses which retiring personnel can access, but once they are out of the barrack gates they are on their own. In any event, courses do little to provide practical support.<br /><br />Finally, those who fall out of the armed services and then fail to re-integrate into society become a net cost to us all. Sometimes they end up homeless, on the streets or turn to crime and end up in jail. Clearly it would be of benefit to them and to society as a whole if their passage into civilian life is rendered more easy and effectively.Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41764974021943349552009-09-21T17:26:01.183+01:002009-09-21T17:26:01.183+01:00Government regulation generally & the way it p...Government regulation generally & the way it prevents mass produced modular housing in particular is responsible for 75% or probabkly more, of the cost of housing. House costs have gone up 4 times compared to the RPI since the early 20thC.<br /><br />The only way to ensure everybody has housing is to build enough of it. Everything elses is just government playing pass the parcel with deckchairs on the Titanic.neil craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09157898238945726349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24776268267133529182009-09-21T17:12:26.182+01:002009-09-21T17:12:26.182+01:00Talk to the Armed Forces - Ministry of Defence, Ro...Talk to the Armed Forces - Ministry of Defence, Royal British Legion, SSAFA etc. Also the evolving British Armed Forces Federation. Check out the Army Rumour Service as well.<br /><br />Service personnel should be given some sort of push up the ladder for social housing...possibly priority in their last tour location or chosen place of resettlement. They would drive up the standards of local authority housing....more likely to involve the police, complain or take *ahem* more direct measures regarding anti-social behaviour etc! <br /><br />Large garrison towns could work with the MoD...sometimes soldiers (etc) want to settle somewhere they know. Sharing "behind the wire" facilities and offering jobs to locals can work....some units share policing resources near unit locations between Armed Forces police (RMP, RAFP etc) and local civilian police, to free up resources elsewhere. <br /><br />It's not just housing - it's healthcare, dentistry, schooling...anything that has a waiting list or residency requirement. Which is most things nowadays in our "land fit for heroes"!<br /><br />Meanwhile....Service Postal Voting (or lack of) in the next general election and the demise of the BFPO system...Jess The Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694805454982688213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32121455222526983252009-09-21T16:46:44.250+01:002009-09-21T16:46:44.250+01:00Why not create a Quango? Surely no one can object ...Why not create a Quango? Surely no one can object to that ... Fill it with ex-servicemen. Any help from counselling to accommodation to getting employment ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-29551671940447792092009-09-21T16:27:26.890+01:002009-09-21T16:27:26.890+01:00Of course, the straight and simple answer to Iain&...Of course, the straight and simple answer to Iain's question "what are your ideas for doing sonething about it?" is that what you do about it depends entirely on what's actually making him homeless, and without knowing that it's impossible to offer anything substantial by way of possible solutions.Oop Norfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77475620047544951122009-09-21T16:18:43.745+01:002009-09-21T16:18:43.745+01:00That councillor is having the wool pulled over his...That councillor is having the wool pulled over his yes<br /><br />There is loads of assistance with resettlement in the forces, plus there is a resettlement grant and his commutated pension as already mentioned<br /><br />I also find it difficult to believe that after 42 years this soldier is still living in service accommodaion and has made no plans for where he is to live after leaving - the Army would have been hassling him from 21/2 years to go<br /><br />There are loads of issues with ex-servicemen - eg council house and NHS waiting lists, but this story does not seem to stack upmacrodermanoreply@blogger.com