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<p>Our veterans play a vital role in keeping our country safe and many have dedicated
their lives to the services. For those who fall on hard times it is only right that
we give them all the support they need to put a roof over their head.</p><p>We recognise
that there are limited statistics on homelessness; that is the why the MOD and MHCLG
are working together to gather more comprehensive data on this issue. The Combined
Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) statistics suggest that 3 per cent of
the rough sleeping population in London have served in the Armed Forces and other
independent research shows that the rough sleeping figures for veterans are around
3-4 per cent across the UK. The same research shows that an individual is less likely
to be homeless if they have served in the Armed Forces.</p><p>There are, however,
a number of existing support services available to veterans who are, or at risk of
homelessness. This includes, the Veterans Gateway, an online web and telephone resource
for veterans, within which is a housing specialist who has up-to-date information
of any vacancies with the 4,000+ homes in the country specifically ringfenced for
Veterans.</p><p>This is in addition to the £1.2 billion my Department has now committed
to tackling all forms of homelessness and rough sleeping. This includes £1 million
of specific funding targeted at ensuring veterans receive the right support and guidance
required to ensure more veterans are prevented from becoming homeless.</p><p>In April
2018, we also introduced the Homelessness Reduction Act, its Duty to Refer requires
public bodies to refer members of the armed forces, who maybe homeless or threatened
with homelessness in England, to a local housing authority within 56 days, having
gained the individual’s consent. A person who is vulnerable as a result of having
been a member of Her Majesty’s regular armed forces (a veteran) has priority need
for accommodation and will be housed by a local authority if they become homeless.</p><p>
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