News story

Libor funds to help Scottish veterans

Veterans in need of housing support across Scotland will be able to benefit from £1.94 million of government funding.

• From: Ministry of Defence, Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland, and Lord Astor of Hever DL
• Published: 21 March 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Lord Astor speaks with an armed forces veteran at Houses for Heroes Scotland

Yesterday, 20 March, Defence Minister Lord Astor visited Scotland to find out how Scottish veterans will be able to benefit from funding for life-changing accommodation initiatives provided by Houses for Heroes Scotland.

The charity will use £1.94 million guaranteed through the Libor fines imposed on banks towards building 38 special needs houses across 7 Scottish local authorities to support younger disabled veterans with low-rented homes for life.

These unique homes will provide a haven for veterans and their families to ensure they are fully supported in their transition to civilian life.

Speaking from Houses for Heroes Scotland in Edinburgh, Lord Astor said:

All those who serve in the armed forces deserve the very best support in their transition to civilian life so it is only right that we help meet their housing needs when they have fallen on hard times, been wounded in service or need day-to-day care and support once they have left the armed forces.

I am delighted to visit Houses for Heroes Scotland today and learn how they are providing accommodation for disabled veterans across Scotland. This funding demonstrates our unwavering commitment to our armed forces community, as set out in the armed forces covenant, and will help transform hundreds of lives.

In addition to these funds, the government has committed a further £40 million in Libor fines to provide essential accommodation for veterans across the country. Around 2,300 veterans across the UK are already benefiting from the £35 million given out to Libor projects over the last year and thousands more are expected to benefit from this additional £40 million.

Libor funding is just one example of the armed forces covenant in action. The covenant is about ensuring that the armed forces community does not face disadvantage due to their links to the armed forces.

The new funding will help charities like Houses for Heroes Scotland to build new homes, buy new accommodation or spruce up old facilities. Projects are expected to include homeless hostels and half-way houses for veterans who have fallen on hard times, supported housing for the wounded, injured and sick, and long-term care homes.

William Sutherland, a current resident at Houses for Heroes Scotland, said:

Houses for Heroes Scotland do a remarkable job in providing social and affordable housing to work around our needs. The fantastic community spirit within the charity has helped ensure that many veterans are supported in their transition into civilian life.

Published 21 March 2014