The Block Armed Forces Foundation CIO

With the U.K. housing crisis at its peak, there is currently no emergency housing at the local authority for veterans suffering with complex PTSD.

Men and women who have served in their country have experienced trauma in hostile and peace keeping operations, resulting in their own after effect mental health problems . 

Veterans or Ex- Forces personnel can struggle with life after the military. Including Poor mental health while in transition from service to civilian life or when going through a sudden change of circumstances, ex-forces can often find them selves at risk of homeless. 

The Block Armed Forces Foundation homeless prevention project started in 2019 and was first a small veteran community service aimed at helping local ex-forces in times of crisis. 

By Providing emergency housing options and crisis support to veterans at risk of homeless, the Block AFF has now become a registered charity and its service is used as part of the governments plan to end Veterans homelessness in the U.K  (Op Fortitude).

 Although, The Block AFF  has not received any type of government or local council funding yet and the charity is now at full capacity. It currently has no financial funds to assist any new cases and the demand for its services is higher than ever. 

The Block AFF charity urgently wants to support more homeless cases with emergency accommodation in 2024 and 2025. By bringing homeless veterans off the Streets and into safe & secure environments where more support can be administered such as mental health therapy. 

The The Block CEO said, 

“ For the first time since we started” we are now turning homeless veterans away due not having any spaces or financial funds to support, Due to a rise in complex cases and lack of available emergency accommodation which cannot be helped due to the lack of funding”.

The housing crisis is hitting vulnerable people hard including Ex Forces with complex mental health conditions

The Block is urgently fundraising to keep homeless veterans off the streets, all funds raised will be used on new emergency accommodation for veterans experiencing homeless.  As little as £30 a night can keep a veteran off the street and provide them with Hot Food. 

Once safely in emergency accommodation the Block AFF team will then provide additional support including mental health and basic everyday life support. 

Starting the process of applying for onward permanent housing can only happen while they are in suitable emergency accommodation with access to WIFI and a communication device. Training and employment can also only happen when a person has a secure permanent address.

Emergency accommodation for veterans is in high demand in the U.K. The Block AFF is a main point of contact for homeless veterans in the North West, its call centre and drop-in based in Liverpool is seeing a dramatic rise in applications for its services. 

The Block AFF is currently assisting on average 3-5 complex homeless veterans cases each week in Liverpool.

The Block AFF is now urgently raising funds for more emergency accommodation, keeping veterans off the streets. Moving to a safe place where support can be processed is vital and the need is reaching a critical point in the U.K. 

Help THE BLOCK AFF, donate now, we need your support. 

Thank you,