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Written question asked by Mike Amesbury (Independent (affiliation)) on Thursday, 13 February 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2025. It was answered by Rushanara Ali (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 February 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Veterans: Homelessness

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment has she made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of the support available to veterans affected by homelessness.

Answer

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. We must address this and deliver long term solutions. The Government is looking at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness, including veteran homelessness.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233m compared to this year (2024/25). This brings total spend to nearly a billion pounds in 2025/26.

We have made changes to social housing allocations regulations to exempt all veterans from local connection and residency tests to facilitate their access to social housing. The regulations came into force on 18 December 2024.

The Government has also committed a further £3.5 million to the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme from March 2025, including Op FORTITUDE, the homelessness pathway for homeless veterans, including those rough sleeping.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
31495
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Homelessness Veterans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk