South West homelessness charity ALABARÉ is pleased to have been awarded more than £1.2 million from the Government’s Reducing Veterans’ Homelessness programme.
The money from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, which is being delivered through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT), will support ALABARÉ’s Homes for Veterans network in the South West and Wales through until March 2029, providing 90 bedspaces for former military personnel experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The funding has been announced by the Prime Minister to mark Remembrance and Armistice Day, with a total of £8.7 million allocated to eight organisations across the UK, specifically to offer assistance to veterans.
How is ALABARÉ Helping with Reducing Veterans’ Homelessness?
The charity offers temporary supported living accommodation, in conjunction with holistic, person-centred and trauma-informed wraparound care, from a dedicated team of colleagues.
Many of the staff team have lived experience of the military, having a unique perspective and trusted rapport with clients with increased empathy and understanding for veterans’ specific and often complex needs.
The Reducing Veterans’ Homelessness funding will go towards support for former military personnel with high and multiple levels of need, such as mental health issues, substance misuse, physical health concerns, or other factors that require specialist care.
ALABARÉ will work alongside clients to help them access wellbeing programmes, training and employment opportunities and household management skills like cooking, cleaning and financial budgeting, to ultimately break the cycle of homelessness.
Luke: ALABARÉ Saved My Life
Luke Davies served in the Army’s Welsh Guards for eight years before being medically discharged.
He became homeless following a relationship breakdown at the beginning of 2025, and after an initial period of sofa surfing, he referred himself to ALABARÉ and moved into a charity property in North Wales, where he grew up.
The 36-year-old had been self-medicating with alcohol and drugs and found that being close to his childhood friends made his addiction issues more prevalent.
Luke asked to move away from those triggers, and with ALABARÉ’s support, he relocated to another Home for Veterans in Cardiff, along with his dog, Hope.
He’s now been clean and sober for a year and credits the charity with helping him through:
“(ALABARÉ gave) me a base where I could grow. I’m not someone that really likes to ask for help, but I knew the help was there and I felt like I was in a safe environment. They were absolutely amazing. It’s completely changed my life.
“Now, I’m renting a place with my partner; we’ve got two dogs instead of one, and I’ve got a job that I love in the criminal justice system, supporting people as they’re released from prison into housing. I’m working closely with ALABARÉ when it comes to that too – helping veterans who are inside.
“I often tell my story and share my experience, strength and hope, and I always say how much ALABARÉ has saved me. It’s been life-changing.”
Chief Executive of ALABARÉ, Andrew Lord, said:
“We are really pleased to have been awarded funding from the Government’s Reducing Veterans’ Homelessness to continue our vital work supporting former military personnel who find themselves homeless, often rough sleeping.
“As the Prime Minister stated himself on Remembrance Sunday, it is not right that someone who has served the country is left behind when it comes to housing and wellbeing support. At ALABARÉ, we stand with veterans as they find their own route to independence by providing homes, restoring hearts, and empowering minds.
“Stories like Luke’s prove that the support offered makes a huge difference to people and can help them turn their lives around, breaking the cycle of homelessness. We’re grateful for the Government’s backing to make this journey a reality for more veterans.”
