Leading charity ALABARÉ is calling for greater collaboration and data collection by organisations tackling veterans’ homelessness in Wales, to ensure the best possible support and outcomes.
The homeless charity has published a report, commissioned and funded by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Ministry of Defence, to assess the current situation and make recommendations for future support services.
ALABARÉ is the largest provider of veteran-specific temporary accommodation in Wales, with 39 bedspaces across nine properties based in Cardiff, Swansea, Pontypridd, and Conwy.
What does the report show?
The report aimed to assess and evaluate the service provision for homeless veterans in Wales, identifying programmes that currently exist, examples of good practice and where there are gaps in homelessness support.
To gather this information, a series of focus groups have been conducted with ALABARÉ colleagues and veterans across Wales, as well as visits and meetings with service providers, and a literature review of academic studies, government publications and existing legislative frameworks.
Working alongside partners, including VC Gallery, TGP Cymru and Arclet, to gain a full picture of the provisions within Wales, several key findings have been identified:
- The current level of veteran-specific accommodation is limited and insufficient, with a particular shortage of housing options for people to move on independently
- Support for diverse needs, such as for women and families, people with disabilities, and mental health concerns, is lacking
- Awareness of the support available to veterans is low, with poor data collection and sharing across organisations
- The rurality of Wales means providing support can be difficult for organisations on the ground, while also restricting access for veterans at risk of homelessness
The report has highlighted a real need for improved systems to support veterans at risk of homelessness, recognising that the issue is related to not just housing, but also health and independence.
ALABARÉ’s mission to break the cycle of homelessness aligns closely with those findings, not just providing homes but also restoring hearts and empowering minds to support clients towards fulfilling and independent futures.
What does the report recommend?
The overall assessment of the state of veterans’ homelessness in Wales means ALABARÉ and its partners have drawn up a series of recommendations to take forward, such as:
- Improving early intervention and an appropriate referral process to make sure no veteran is left behind
- Expanding rural outreach and diversifying temporary accommodation to cater for all needs
- Improving data collection and outcome tracking that is shared across organisations to help with planning, funding and accountability
- Strengthening partnership working across sectors
- Embedding holistic, person-centred approaches
- Replicating models that build trust and engagement
The report has also found that Wales is well-positioned to provide meaningful support for homeless veterans by building on existing strengths while developing a more inclusive and effective system that thrives on collaboration and common goals to support veterans in a successful transition into civilian life.
Simon Frith, Principal Lead for Partnerships at ALABARÉ, said:
“We’re delighted to have been asked by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to create this report and really help shape the future support offered to prevent veterans’ homelessness in Wales.
“It’s an area of ALABARÉ’s work that I’m extremely passionate about, as a veteran myself, and believe that with the right support, collaborative working, and shared responsibility, organisations across Wales have the tools to help more former military personnel into brighter futures.
“What we’d like to see now is a commitment from Welsh charities and support services, alongside the Government, to make the situation better for veterans at risk of homelessness, and to ensure those who need support know where and how to reach out for the help they need and deserve.”
James Phillips, the Government’s Veterans Commissioner for Wales, said:
“I welcome this deep dive into veteran homelessness in Wales. I have long advocated for ‘homes not shelter’ for veterans who face unique challenges through Service.
“ALABARÉ’s holistic approach to addressing the needs of the individual is acknowledged as best practice, so this report comes with a high degree of credibility. Its observations, conclusions and areas for discussion are clear and insightful. I recommend the report to all those involved in housing and veteran services in Wales and beyond.”
