veteran who lived in car for weeks is ‘over the moon’ with new believe housing home

A former soldier who spent several weeks living in a car is ‘over the moon’ after moving into a new home with believe housing.

The 68-year-old applied for a social home in County Durham following the breakdown of a long-term relationship, which left him homeless and sleeping in his car.

He didn’t feel the first flat he was offered was right for him, but a Neighbourhood Officer at believe housing recognised that the veteran was in urgent need of support.

She referred him to Steve Winter, an Outreach Worker with the Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS), which is a local authority partnership in the north east of England and is part-funded by believe housing.

AFOS can assist serving personnel, veterans and their families with support beyond their housing application such as help with benefits, employment, mental and physical health, family needs, and sourcing furniture or other household items.

Steve quickly built a rapport with the man and his daughter and worked with them, alongside believe housing, to find a home he was happy with. Steve has also applied to Armed Forces charities for financial support to buy a cooker, fridge-freezer, wardrobe and drawers to furnish the home.

“By the end of the same week he’d moved in, and he is over the moon now,” said Steve.

“He’s ex-Army, I’m ex-Navy, but we both served in Gibraltar and there is a camaraderie in the Forces community that helps to break down barriers so we could talk.

“I was able to explain the shortage of social housing in County Durham and to understand his concerns and needs, which helped to get a home he’s happy to live in.

“To see a 68-year-old veteran who isn’t in the best of health struggling, living in a car, was difficult but I’m pleased we’ve been able to work together and quickly turn things around for him.”

Ian Porter, Director of Neighbourhoods and Customer Experience at believe housing, said: “We work closely with customers and partners to provide the homes and support people need to live well.

“With the support of the Armed Forces Outreach Service we have been able to help this veteran move into the healthy and affordable home he needs for a decent life, and we wish him well for the future.”

For more information about the support believe housing offers to military personnel and their families visit believehousing.co.uk/support-for-military-personnel.

You can also visit armedforcesoutreachservice.org or call Steve on 07385 247402.

believe housing is a member of the North East Housing Partnership (NEHP) of 17 social housing providers and local authorities from across the region. It recognises that a good home is the foundation for a decent life and will work together and support the new North East Combined Authority to deliver a comprehensive housing plan that drives economic growth and helps residents to live longer healthier lives.