Edinburgh-based VHS is a provider of homes for disabled veterans in Scotland by providing affordable rented homes and a wraparound Tenancy Sustainment Service.

VHS will lead a creative partnership with the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) and SSAFA’s Glasgow’s Helping Heroes (GHH) to greatly benefit the veteran community in Scotland by providing comprehensive and coordinated support services that address homelessness, tenancy sustainment and medical welfare needs. The project will also utilise referral pathways through Op FORTITUDE, a dedicated service which helps to combat veterans’ homelessness.

VHS will partner with the DMWS and GHH to provide enhanced support through grant funding of £290,882 which allows the project to be extended until 2026.

Kevin Gray MM, chief executive of Veterans Housing Scotland, said: “We are very grateful for this wonderful support from the Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA).

“Our initiative will provide adaptable, comprehensive, and coordinated support services for vulnerable veterans across a range of support needs. The support will enable veterans to remain in safe housing by addressing issues affecting their tenancies, including medical welfare needs and non-clinical issues.

“Our collaborative approach will reduce homelessness through increased housing stability, and improved wellbeing for veterans in Scotland, allowing them to transition to lower-level support.

“The focus of our programme will be to provide comprehensive support to disabled veterans in Scotland to sustain their tenancies, reduce the risk of homelessness, and ultimately improve their quality of life.

“Dedicated VHS Visiting Officers and DMWS Welfare Officers will work together to identify and support veterans who are on challenging and potentially chaotic housing journeys.”

DMWS chief executive Abby Dryden added: “No veteran should be left unsupported and without a home. DMWS welcomes this fantastic opportunity to bring focused welfare support to veterans who can be struggling with many aspects alongside their housing concerns.

“Working in collaboration allows us to bring together expertise and greater support that can bring huge improvements in mental and physical wellbeing as well as improved living conditions for veterans in Scotland.”

Sy Harty, interim operations manager SSAFA Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, commented: “The Reducing Homelessness for Scottish Veterans project is about more than providing shelter, it’s about tackling the root causes of homelessness among veterans and delivering holistic, joined up support that restores stability, dignity, and hope for our veterans across Scotland.

“Made possible through the generous support of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, this project brings together Veterans Housing Scotland, SSAFA’s Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, and Defence Medical Welfare Service in a powerful collaboration to make lasting change.”