After spending more than 20 years living in caravans and motorhomes, army veteran James Makinson said having a permanent home gave him one thing: “security”.
Known as Jimmy, the 79-year-old was helped into accommodation in Wigan through Homes at Ease, a housing programme run by the not-for-profit organisation Armed Forces Community HQ.
The scheme helps veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes find permanent accommodation through social housing providers and private landlords. Since 2023, it has received more than 500 referrals across the North West.
“I can’t say enough about this place,” Makinson said of Armed Forces Community HQ, which helped him.
Lisa Murgatroyd, strategic development director at the organisation, said 99.5% of veterans housed through the scheme remained in permanent accommodation for more than six months.
Murgatroyd said much of the homelessness experienced by veterans was hidden, with people staying on friends’ sofas or in insecure accommodation rather than sleeping rough.
“We believe that every veteran should have a key to their own front door at the earliest opportunity,” she said.