Portsmouth City Council welcomes the government’s announcement that new veterans support centres will be created, along with much-needed extra housing funding.
As part of a new national Veterans Strategy, £27m of central funding will go on establishing a nationwide network of ‘VALOUR’ hubs, offering over 1.8 million veterans better access to health, housing, employment and other services.
Leader Cllr Steve Pitt, the Council’s Armed Forces champion, said:
“As a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and a gold veterans’ employer, the council is committed to being there for those who face challenges when leaving service.
“So we welcome this announcement for a national focus on supporting veterans. It gives a huge opportunity for us to build on the work we do with partners to support Portsmouth’s armed forces community of over 37,000 people, to provide them with the opportunities they deserve to utilise their unique skills and experience.
“We will be exploring options to bid for a local veterans support hub through our Armed Forces Solent Partnership, to increase the support offered to ex-servicemen and women right across Hampshire and the Solent.”
The government also announced £12m of additional funding to reduce veteran homelessness nationally.
Portsmouth City Council works with local organisations to provide dedicated housing support for serving and former armed forces members and their families. This includes working with the MOD to utilise and refurbish properties it owns in the area to rehouse local armed forces families.
Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Preventing Homelessness, said:
“Giving our veterans a good place to live is the least we can do for people who would give their lives for this country. The work the Council already does with our partners to deliver that is nationally recognised. So anything else that can do that we welcome.
“We will look at what the VALOUR scheme has to offer Portsmouth, but the new commitments to addressing homelessness and seeing a veteran as an asset are good to see. Should we take part, we want to make sure we can use the fantastic local knowledge we have built up so our local armed forces community can feel the full benefits.”
- Forces personnel and veterans who are at risk of homelessness or struggling with other issues can visit the Council’s Civic Offices in Guildhall Square to ask for support, or call 023 9283 4989.
- The Council works with Veterans Outreach Support who offer veterans a range of support and hold drop-in sessions, and can be contacted on 023 9273 1767 or by visiting: Veterans Outreach Support | VOS