As a veteran, experiencing or facing the risk of homelessness can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Specialised homeless veteran charities and local councils offer advice and services such as emergency accommodation, emotional and practical support for homeless veterans.
Blesma is a veterans’ charity dedicated to supporting limbless and injured veterans. While Blesma is not a housing charity, we can offer advice and assistance with financial challenges to our Members. This guide will also cover government schemes and trusted charities providing practical support to veterans in need of a stable home.
How Blesma Can Support Homeless Veterans?
Blesma went over and above to help us out in a time of need, and we are very grateful.
Blesma Member, Peter David
With nine regional Blesma Support Officers (BSOs) across the UK, Blesma Members receive personalised assistance tailored to their needs. These officers help with a wide range of issues, including allowances, entitlements, care and wellbeing, prosthetics, and overall welfare. If you are a Blesma Member and need support, contacting your local BSO is the best first step to connect with Blesma.
If you have lost a limb in service or have lost the use of limbs, suffered permanent loss of speech, hearing, or sight whilst serving or as a result of service in any branch of His Majesty’s Forces or Auxiliary Forces, you may be eligible for Blesma Membership.
Case Study: Support for a Member Facing the Risk of Homelessness
Peter David, a former Royal Navy Regulator and left leg above-knee amputee, recently shared how Blesma’s support helped him through a difficult period. At 69 years old, Peter and his wife Susan, who is also disabled, faced a sudden 70% rent increase after both experienced redundancies, putting them at serious risk of homelessness.
“I reached out to BSO Tom Hall. He visited us quickly and within two weeks had financial support in place for us,” said Peter. “He and Blesma went over and above to help us out in a time of need, and we are very grateful.
“I have a new job now and things are much better, but Tom and Blesma got us that vital breathing space. The unconditional help, guidance and support provided by Blesma has been truly wonderful and life changing.”
Peter adds, “I have a new job now, and things are much better, but Tom and Blesma gave us that vital breathing space. The unconditional help, guidance, and support provided by Blesma has been truly wonderful and life changing.”
You may also be eligible to receive a Blesma Wellbeing Grant to assist you with financial difficulties.
Your local Blesma Support Officer (BSO) would be happy to discuss our grant support with you.
How Councils Can Support Homeless Veterans in the UK
Local councils are required to help if you're legally homeless or at risk of becoming homeless within the next 8 weeks.
Support may include tailored housing advice, emergency accommodation, help finding a longer-term place to live, and assistance to help you stay in your current home.
You’re not obliged to tell the council that you’re a veteran, but by letting them know, you might access additional support.
You may be considered in priority need if you have a disability or health condition, but you might need to explain to the council how it impacts your day-to-day life.
Find your local council support:
Find Housing Support Through Op Fortitude
Op FORTITUDE is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund to provide a central referral pathway for veterans facing homelessness. The team offers advice and support to help veterans stay in their current home or move into suitable veteran-supporting housing.
You can make a self-referral, or someone else can refer you with your consent.
Charities for Homeless Veterans
Veteran-Oriented Charities
- Stoll provides supported housing and outreach services for vulnerable and disabled veterans, primarily in London. Stoll also helps with accessing healthcare, employment, and community integration.
- Alabaré offers supported accommodation and personalised support for veterans across England and Wales, helping them rebuild their lives after homelessness or crisis.
- Help 4 Homeless Veterans is a small charity based in South Yorkshire, providing immediate practical support, including accommodation, for veterans in urgent need.
- Haig Housing is the UK’s largest military housing charity, offering affordable rental housing for ex-Service personnel and their families across the country.
- Scottish Veterans Residences provides supported accommodation for ex-Servicemen and women in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow, with on-site care and support services.
- SSAFA offers a wide range of practical, emotional, and housing support to veterans and their families.
Charities Supporting Anyone Facing Homelessness
- Crisis is a leading UK charity offering direct support for housing, employment, and health.
- Shelter provides expert advice, support, and legal advocacy to people experiencing housing issues or homelessness. Free helpline and local services are available across England and in Shelter Cymru (Wales).
- Church Homeless Charity works with church-based hostels and accommodation services to provide support for people experiencing homelessness.
1Source:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-homelessness-support-as-a-veteran
2Source:https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/help_if_youre_homeless_veterans
3Source:https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/charity-categories/homelessness/
Last reviewed: 16th July 2025
We can help
We are dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. We support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK. Click the link below to find out the different kinds of support we offer.
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