Funding boost secures extension of vital housing support at Catterick Garrison
A vital housing support role based at Catterick Garrison has been extended following a £20,000 funding award from the Army Benevolent Fund, reinforcing efforts to prevent homelessness among members of the Armed Forces community.
The funding will support the continuation of the Catterick project delivered by the Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS), which has been operating on-site since September 2025. The role focuses on early intervention—providing housing advice and support to service personnel and their families before they leave military life, a period widely recognised as one of significant adjustment and potential vulnerability.
Transitioning from the Armed Forces into civilian life can be complex. Alongside changes in employment, identity and community, securing stable housing is often one of the most immediate and pressing challenges. Services like AFOS play a critical role in smoothing this transition, ensuring individuals do not reach crisis point before accessing support.
Since its launch, the Catterick-based service has already demonstrated measurable impact, assisting 38 members of the Armed Forces community. Of those supported:
- 31 received tailored housing advice
- 24 were helped to register a housing application
- 15 secured a housing priority status
- 2 successfully moved into social housing
- 2 accessed supported accommodation
- 1 moved into private rented housing
These figures highlight the importance of providing specialist, early-stage guidance. By intervening before discharge, the service is helping individuals better understand their options, complete necessary applications, and avoid the risk of homelessness.
The extension builds on wider investment into the project, which also received £30,000 from the Forces in Mind Trust to pilot embedded housing support at the UK's largest military base. The initiative aligns with national recommendations that emphasise the value of early, in-person advice for service leavers.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"Leaving the Armed Forces is a major life change, and having the right housing support in place at the right time can make all the difference. The success of the Catterick role shows just how valuable early intervention can be—helping people plan ahead, understand their options and avoid reaching crisis point. This continued investment ensures we can keep providing that vital support and give service leavers the best possible start to civilian life."
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 for more information.
A vital housing support role based at Catterick Garrison has been extended following a £20,000 funding award from the Army Benevolent Fund, reinforcing efforts to prevent homelessness among members of the Armed Forces community.
The funding will support the continuation of the Catterick project delivered by the Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS), which has been operating on-site since September 2025. The role focuses on early intervention—providing housing advice and support to service personnel and their families before they leave military life, a period widely recognised as one of significant adjustment and potential vulnerability.
Transitioning from the Armed Forces into civilian life can be complex. Alongside changes in employment, identity and community, securing stable housing is often one of the most immediate and pressing challenges. Services like AFOS play a critical role in smoothing this transition, ensuring individuals do not reach crisis point before accessing support.
Since its launch, the Catterick-based service has already demonstrated measurable impact, assisting 38 members of the Armed Forces community. Of those supported:
- 31 received tailored housing advice
- 24 were helped to register a housing application
- 15 secured a housing priority status
- 2 successfully moved into social housing
- 2 accessed supported accommodation
- 1 moved into private rented housing
These figures highlight the importance of providing specialist, early-stage guidance. By intervening before discharge, the service is helping individuals better understand their options, complete necessary applications, and avoid the risk of homelessness.
The extension builds on wider investment into the project, which also received £30,000 from the Forces in Mind Trust to pilot embedded housing support at the UK's largest military base. The initiative aligns with national recommendations that emphasise the value of early, in-person advice for service leavers.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"Leaving the Armed Forces is a major life change, and having the right housing support in place at the right time can make all the difference. The success of the Catterick role shows just how valuable early intervention can be—helping people plan ahead, understand their options and avoid reaching crisis point. This continued investment ensures we can keep providing that vital support and give service leavers the best possible start to civilian life."
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 for more information.
