Army veteran secures permanent housing after 20 years in mobile homes

The charity Armed Forces Community HQ helped James Makinson, a 79-year-old army veteran, move into permanent housing in Wigan, England.

Makinson had spent over two decades living in motorhomes and caravans before the organisation secured him a stable residence. The organisation runs a housing programme called Homes at Ease to assist veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.

By connecting these individuals with social housing providers and private landlords, the scheme has received more than 500 referrals across the North West since 2023. Lisa Murgatroyd, the strategic development director at Armed Forces Community HQ, stated that 99.5% of veterans placed through the scheme stayed in their permanent homes for at least six months. The centre also provides support for health, employment, and social connections.

Dean Hook, a former Royal Air Force member, uses the facilities to maintain his sobriety and connect with other veterans. Mayor Bev Craig visited the centre to discuss making the Wigan model a standard for support across Greater Manchester. The mayor also noted that the region is expanding its A Bed Every Night programme to provide emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough.