Calls for Powys homeless veterans officer

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

As Welshpool marked Armistice today, a call has been made for Powys to employ a specific worker to help armed forces veterans who are homeless.

It was revealed at a Powys County Council cabinet meeting this week, as part of discussions before a new Homelessness Strategy was adopted, that other parts of Wales have workers who concentrate on helping homeless veterans while Powys does not.

Council Leader and Powys County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, said: “All other areas of Wales have an officer, I think paid by (the) Welsh Government in the short term.

“They work with the Armed Forces and Veteran community and for some reason Powys has not been allocated one.

“But work is ongoing on that and we have the WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) supporting us on that to make sure it comes about.”

Head of Housing, Simon Inkson, said: “I was made aware very recently of partnership arrangement in relation to ex-service personnel.

“That is something we want to pursue, as we come across ex-servicemen who are homeless. Remember, they are only given priority if they are homeless on leaving the Armed Forces.

“We do come across individuals who become homeless at a later stage as a consequence of the experiences while serving.”

In April, Alun Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government & Public Services, announced the Welsh Government had delivered: “A Housing Referral Pathway and Code of Guidance for Local Authorities on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness – this provides early assistance to veterans at risk of becoming homeless.