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Government could be ready to advance on dedicated housing co-operatives for veterans – little more than a fortnight on from announcing a £1m funding boost to help those veterans who faced  sleeping on ‘civvy street’.

During MHCLG questions in the Commons, homelessness minister Heather Wheeler was open to the concept of such co-operatives – run along similar lines to those in the United States.

“We have already agreed some money for ports down on the south coast, where there is a predominance of naval people, who have come together to build a number of units as one group. I think this idea has legs – if not sea legs, then Army legs,” she said.

Last month, MHCLG announced a £1m funding boost to help secure accommodation for ex-service personnel – with bespoke support added on – to be shared among the 10 combined authorities and the Greater London Authority.

As envisaged, the £1m could also be used to direct former soldiers to existing specialist services, such as access to supported housing and training for staff on mental health issues including PTSD.

Stoll subsequently challenged councils to reinforce that £1m with “greater consistency” in the level of local housing support.

In the Commons, Labour’s Gareth Thomas raised the US model that housed many former armed services personnel in dedicated veteran communities run as housing co-operatives, giving them control over the cost of the housing provided to them and enabling them to live their lives in the way they want to.

He urged Wheeler to push the potential for such co-operatives in the UK.

To Wheeler, this was an “innovative idea”.

Tory Andrew Rosindell had asked what steps Government was taking to reduce the number of former armed services personnel who are homeless – Wheeler answered with the £1m support funding.

Following up, Rosindell raised what discussions had taken place between MHCLG and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) towards “clear pathways” to prevent ex-service personnel from facing homelessness.

He called for a “cast-iron guarantee” that the military covenant would be upheld.

Wheeler accepted that a joined-up response was essential to ensuring that veterans can access the prevention and relief services available to them.

She referenced the statutory duty placed by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 on the Secretary of State for Defence to refer members of the armed forces to local authority services for tailored support, including a personalised housing plan.

As reported by 24housing last month, Stoll also saw scope for MHCLG working closely with the MoD to create a Housing Transition Pathway to ensure every single Service leaver, whatever their circumstances, is asked about their housing options after Service – with those identified of being at risk of homelessness offered bespoke advice.

Ed Tytherleigh, Stoll’s chief executive, said veterans need a far greater level of consistency from councils – regardless of which council they approach.

There is a significant shortage of supported housing for veterans and campaigners want to see such housing put on a sustainable financial footing.

Veterans are the only supported housing sector in the UK where the majority of support costs are paid for by the charities themselves.