HOUSING
PROPERTY
One of the most important aspects of housing on civvy street to be aware of is that your rent, mortgage or bills will not automatically be deducted from your wage. For this reason, understanding how to budget and manage your rent or bills with your new income is imperative to ensure you always have a roof over your head. Renting might be the best way for you to get accommodation upon leaving your time in service. Considering your income, any savings and benefits you are entitled to (learn more on page 14) finding an affordable home to rent is imperative. MoneyForce (support. veteransgateway.org.uk) is on hand to help you and any dependents to manage money to ensure important outgoings, such as rent payments, can be met. When you know your release date from the Armed Forces, the MoD’s Joint Service Housing Advice (JSHAO) (www.gov.uk) is a critical tool. Providing advice and information on moving into civilian accommodation and assisting on the transition to civilian life, you can also apply for social housing ahead of leaving service.
HOMELESSNESS
OVER THE THRESHOLD Knowing you have accommodation arranged as you prepare to transition into civilian life can make the process much smoother. There is a lot to consider, but assistance and schemes are available to welcome you home
Unfortunately, homelessness is an issue that is experienced by some ex-service personnel. Haig Housing (www.haighousing.org.uk) has worked amongst the veteran community is, to help veterans experiencing thankfully, reducing, but with homelessness to get into challenges coming to terms rented accommodation. Remember with civilian life, mental The charity is committed your rent or health conditions and to bringing housing mortgage isolation, homelessness is options that are accessible, payments will not still an issue. But there is affordable and can leave automatically be help on hand. people with a regained
deducted from
sense of camaraderie living your pay beside fellow veterans. Haig provides housing Regardless of how prepared opportunities across the UK, you are, organised or financially with applications continually stable, anyone can find themselves open on their website. The Royal falling on hard times. If this were British Legion (www.britishlegion. to occur, there are a multitude of org.uk), Shelter (www.shelter.org. charities on hand to provide veteran uk), and Help 4 Homeless Veterans specific accommodation. The Cobeso (help4homelessveterans.org) are Housing Cluster – created from a two additional charities working to range of charitable and social housing get people off the streets and in to organisations – works to open the housing were possible. Homelessness
CHARITIES
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doors to specialist hostels, supported housing and shorthold tenancies. Formed with the expertise and dedication of 30 veterans’ housing organisations and charities, you are sure to find a clear pathway into safe, affordable accommodation regardless of your relationship and familial status. Veterans’ Gateway (0808 802 1212) is accessible 24/7 with housing specialists on hand through their helpline. ■
FIND OUT MORE Further information on housing guidance is available from Veterans’ Gateway (www.veteransgateway.org. uk) and the UK Government (www.gov.uk).
