Colchester veteran: ex‑forces families face 'homelessness'

An ex-soldier, who was based at Merville Barracks, has spoken to the Gazette after their family is set to be evicted in September.

The ex-serviceman served 13 and half years in the army with the Parachute Regiment, including tours of Afghanistan, and reached the rank of Corporal.

They have raised serious concerns on how veterans and service families are being treated after leaving the armed forces, especially those who transition form 16 Air Assault Brigade and the wider military community in the city.

Illustrative - soldiers in camouflage gear (Image: Pexels)

The veteran believes there is a rising number of soldiers leaving with the families which are facing housing insecurity, possession proceedings, and homelessness.

The former soldier currently still lives on an army estate but following a court appearance, they will be evicted.

Speaking about how it feels, they said: “I feel scared, upset, irresponsible, like I’ve put my family in this situation.

“I feel ashamed of our country and ashamed that I served. Where has it got me.”

Since leaving the army last year, the veteran has experienced first-hand the difficulties with transition into civilian life.

They claim many veterans turn to military charities such as SSAFA, Haig Housing, and other service charities believing they will provide a safety net during this transition.

However, he claims the reality is these organisations are overwhelmed by the sheer number of veterans needing support and are limited by funding, housing availability, and strict eligibility criteria.

Whilst they offer valuable advice, signposting to services, and short-term assistance, the charities are unable to provide immediate long-term housing solutions for families facing eviction or homelessness.

Illustrative - a soldier (Image: Pexels)

The demand for veteran housing now far outweighs the support available, the former soldier claims.

A charity spokesperson for Haig Housing has told the Gazette this is an important issue and there are not enough houses to meet the rising demand for homes for veterans.

The veteran has also raised a major issue around the accommodation provided to service families which is not run directly by councils but by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

It is claimed many families are unaware that service family accommodation is usually treated as a licence to occupy rather than a normal tenancy, meaning legal protections are significantly weaker than those of standard private renters.

When a soldier leaves the army, they are given a notice to vacate the property, usually being given around 93 days to leave.

If the family remains beyond that notice period because they have been unable to secure alternative housing, DIO can then apply to court for a possession order.

Illustrative - soldiers during an exercise (Image: Pexels)

 It is claimed this often results in former soldiers—many with wives, children, and vulnerable dependants—being taken to court, facing legal costs, and then being given as little as 14 to 28 days to leave their homes after the hearing.

For many families, especially in Colchester where private rental costs are high, this is simply not enough time, the ex-soldier believes.

When looking for accommodation such as private renting, the veteran says affordability checks, income thresholds, guarantor requirements, deposits, and rising rents make securing a suitable family home nearly impossible.

Especially for veterans who are newly self-employed, rebuilding financially, or supporting dependants with additional needs.

An older photo of the entrance to Merville Barracks (Image: Archive)

Another major factor is Colchester council house banding, where the veteran believes families are placed in lower priority bands based on previous military income rather than their actual financial position after discharge.

The veteran has spoken about how they have tried to seek support and has been offered housing in Liverpool by a charity but says its unfeasible.

Speaking about how the overall system is failing former soldiers and their families, they said: “This is not just unfair, it is a national disgrace.

“Service families should not be leaving the armed forces only to face courtrooms, debt, and homelessness as their reward for service.

“If this is happening here on an increasing scale, it raises major national questions about how veterans are truly being supported after service.

"I’m trying to do it using our country’s system, MPs, councils, policies, I’m doing it the right way.

“This is a Colchester problem, we are the largest garrison city, I love Colchester, I want to stay here, my children have made their lives here.

 “I’m proud to live round here, but how is it that it doesn’t have a policy set up for veterans.

“I’m not asking for special treatment, what I am asking is for the policy to look at the situation and cater to that.

“If you’re rewarding priority banding to other minority groups, veterans should be at the top of the list.”

An MOD spokesperson said: “We hugely value our Forces and veterans and owe a debt of gratitude to all those who serve. We're determined that no veteran falls through the cracks, and through Veterans Services, we're supporting personnel to move successfully into civilian life.

“We are investing over £25 million each year into physical and mental health services for veterans through Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE and are addressing veterans' concerns about fragmented support services through the new £50m VALOUR programme, which will improve veterans’ access to essential care by improving enhanced coordination of support.”

A DIO spokesperson said: “We are committed to the welfare of military personnel and their families.

“However, when occupants are no longer entitled to service family accommodation, such as at the end of their service, they are given reasonable notice to vacate to ensure the house can be made available for the next entitled service family.

“In the event of a standard discharge at the end of service, which applied in this case, personnel have a minimum of 12 months to prepare for their next steps after service including finding housing.

“Personnel are aware that their entitlement to housing ends at the end of their service and they will be required to move out.”