LGA webinar: Key points for local authorities
Supporting homeless veterans is an important area of work for local authority housing teams. However, it’s not always clear how best to provide for veterans as they return to civilian life.
Recently, the Local Government Association (LGA) hosted a webinar on the topic. It focussed on how local authorities can identify and help veterans to adjust.
Chaired by the LGAs Community Wellbeing Board lead, Cllr David Fothergill, attendees also heard from:
- Richard Gammage, CEO at Stoll
- Beverley Russell, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Stoll
- Lisa Mcfadyen, Armed Forces Coordinator from Gateshead Council
In this webinar, the panel unpacked some of the learnings from their work with homeless veterans.
Identifying veterans who slip through the net
Most veterans experience a smooth transition to civilian life. But it can be too easy for some to slip through the net.
Less than half of former service personnel have their housing needs sorted out before they leave their jobs. Some veterans experience mental health issues, like PTSD. They may also have a breakdown in their family and personal relationships. Alongside never being in one place for very long, it’s hard for people in the Armed Forces to have ties to a particular place.
Council housing officers have a unique role to play in identifying veterans. Whether they’ve served for a day or for decades, all veterans are covered by the Armed Forces Covenant.
Ensuring the veteran question is asked, reviewing forms and making sure all staff are aware of the covenant are some of the recommendations that were talked about in the webinar. Having a strong presence in the community and staff with military experience helps to quickly and effectively identify and support veterans.
Collaboration is key
Ending veterans’ homelessness isn’t something that can be achieved by any one organisation in isolation. Growing relationships between local authorities, housing providers, charities and support agencies is vital. Working collaboratively in your local area with all partners ensures a joined up and strategic approach. It also makes the best use of resources.
It’s important to have a holistic approach which considers and personalises each veteran’s needs. Many veterans experience debt problems from previous housing. This needs to be dealt with alongside employment opportunities, mental health support, benefits and pensions.
A consistent point of contact
The webinar addressed the importance of having a single point of contact for veterans from the application process right through to completion. This consistency is better for veterans and more efficient for the local authority.
Some local authorities have Armed Forces Champions who develop knowledge and raise awareness of homeless veterans in their local area. These champions support veterans every step of the way. They also provide expertise within an organisation which other team members can draw on.
Resources available to help
You can see the presentation slides from the webinar on the LGA website. You can also access free toolkits, audit tools and best practice to support your work with veterans here.