This week, the prime minister announced a new commitment to end homelessness for veterans, young care leavers and domestic abuse victims. 

The commitments announced will ensure that those who have served the country and the most vulnerable groups will have better access to social housing, scrapping rules that unfairly penalise them.

Current rules allow veterans an exemption from local connection tests for five years after leaving the armed forces, but now over 80 percent of homeless veterans referred for housing support left the forces more than five years ago.

The rules unfairly punish veterans who are unable to settle and have a stable life in any part of the UK without proving a local connection. 

For many domestic abuse victims and young care leavers who have to move outside of the area they have been living, they are often excluded by rules that prioritise a local connection.

Unfortunately, the number of these vulnerable groups presenting as homeless has only increased in the last couple of years as they are forced to choose between homelessness or an unsecure housing situation.

This is why the government has committed to helping the most vulnerable in getting a social home by removing the unfair rules for care leavers, domestic abuse victims, and veterans who do not have a safe space to sleep.

Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley, said:

“It is an injustice that people who have been prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, will not have a safe place to sleep tonight.

“Armed forces personnel are deployed across the country or overseas for years, dislocating them from family and friends to help defend our country. Yet when they leave the forces, they are at an increased risk of homelessness.

“Domestic abuse victims are facing massive housing insecurity, having to choose between survival which often means homelessness or being trapped with an abuser.

“Care leavers become independent overnight, with many falling into an unsettled housing situation.

“This is outrageous. All of these groups should be able to have stability and safety after an unsettled way of life.

“I am proud that this government has launched their commitment to provide homes for heroes, ensuring that all heroes struggling with housing are given the homes they deserve.”