Funding to provide new housing support for ex-service personnel leaving Catterick Garrison
The Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS) - led by Gateshead Council, working in partnership with Durham County Council, Believe Housing and Newcastle City Council, has welcomed new funding to help prevent homelessness among service leavers.
The service has been awarded £30,000 by the Forces in Mind Trust to launch a pilot housing support project at Catterick Garrison, the UK's largest military base.
The pilot responds directly to the recommendations of the Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness study, which identified that early, specialist housing advice can play a key role in preventing homelessness when personnel transition out of the Armed Forces.
As part of the 12-month project, a dedicated housing adviser with lived experience of the Armed Forces will be embedded on-site at Catterick Garrison. The adviser will provide face-to-face support to service personnel and their families as they prepare for civilian life - including guidance on housing options, support with documentation, and referral to other services where appropriate.
By embedding expert, tailored advice at the point of discharge, the pilot aims to help service leavers and their families better navigate the challenges of accessing suitable secure housing, and reduce the risk of homelessness.
Learning and data gathered from the project will also be shared nationally, supporting a longer-term shift in how local authorities and housing providers across the country deliver services to the Armed Forces community.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council, said:
"Transitioning to civilian life can be complex, and housing is a critical part of that journey. By embedding expert advice at Catterick, we can help prevent housing challenges before they arise and ensure that veterans and their families have the support they need to settle confidently into civilian life. This new role not only strengthens the safety net for our Armed Forces community, but also helps shape a more coordinated, informed approach to supporting Veterans nationally."
Lieutenant Colonel David Marshall, Deputy Commander Joint Military Command North (Army), added:
"Headquarters North are pleased to trial this novel social housing pilot in conjunction with AFOS and Catterick Garrison. AFOS has a wealth of experience in assisting service leavers, Reservists, spouses, and veterans to navigate the social housing system across the North East. Offering services like this are vital in achieving our vision to make the military community in the North the best it can be, and we welcome engagement from charities and local initiatives from across the North."
Michelle Alston, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust, said:
"The vast majority of ex-service personnel leave the military and secure appropriate housing. However, we know that the early stages of moving into civilian accommodation can sometimes be challenging. This project will trial the potential benefits of direct support at the UK's largest military garrison, and provide a case study in implementing the findings of our funded Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness report. We are proud to support this project, which aims to support our vision of successful transition for all members of the Armed Forces community."
If you are a veteran in need of housing assistance in Gateshead, Durham or Newcastle, then you can contact the Armed Forces Outreach Service by email [email protected], or visit the AFOS website (opens new window) for more information.
The Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS) - led by Gateshead Council, working in partnership with Durham County Council, Believe Housing and Newcastle City Council, has welcomed new funding to help prevent homelessness among service leavers.
The service has been awarded £30,000 by the Forces in Mind Trust to launch a pilot housing support project at Catterick Garrison, the UK's largest military base.
The pilot responds directly to the recommendations of the Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness study, which identified that early, specialist housing advice can play a key role in preventing homelessness when personnel transition out of the Armed Forces.
As part of the 12-month project, a dedicated housing adviser with lived experience of the Armed Forces will be embedded on-site at Catterick Garrison. The adviser will provide face-to-face support to service personnel and their families as they prepare for civilian life - including guidance on housing options, support with documentation, and referral to other services where appropriate.
By embedding expert, tailored advice at the point of discharge, the pilot aims to help service leavers and their families better navigate the challenges of accessing suitable secure housing, and reduce the risk of homelessness.
Learning and data gathered from the project will also be shared nationally, supporting a longer-term shift in how local authorities and housing providers across the country deliver services to the Armed Forces community.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council, said:
"Transitioning to civilian life can be complex, and housing is a critical part of that journey. By embedding expert advice at Catterick, we can help prevent housing challenges before they arise and ensure that veterans and their families have the support they need to settle confidently into civilian life. This new role not only strengthens the safety net for our Armed Forces community, but also helps shape a more coordinated, informed approach to supporting Veterans nationally."
Lieutenant Colonel David Marshall, Deputy Commander Joint Military Command North (Army), added:
"Headquarters North are pleased to trial this novel social housing pilot in conjunction with AFOS and Catterick Garrison. AFOS has a wealth of experience in assisting service leavers, Reservists, spouses, and veterans to navigate the social housing system across the North East. Offering services like this are vital in achieving our vision to make the military community in the North the best it can be, and we welcome engagement from charities and local initiatives from across the North."
Michelle Alston, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust, said:
"The vast majority of ex-service personnel leave the military and secure appropriate housing. However, we know that the early stages of moving into civilian accommodation can sometimes be challenging. This project will trial the potential benefits of direct support at the UK's largest military garrison, and provide a case study in implementing the findings of our funded Roadmap to End Veteran Homelessness report. We are proud to support this project, which aims to support our vision of successful transition for all members of the Armed Forces community."
If you are a veteran in need of housing assistance in Gateshead, Durham or Newcastle, then you can contact the Armed Forces Outreach Service by email [email protected], or visit the AFOS website (opens new window) for more information.
