"Exploring options to bid": Royal Navy, Army and RAF veterans support hub could be coming to Portsmouth
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A vital support hub for military veterans could be coming to Portsmouth after millions in national funding has been set aside for them.
Portsmouth City Council is planning to bid for a new VALOUR hub after £27m was allocated by the government. A network of facilities are due to be set up to support the over 1.8m veterans in the UK, making sure they have better access to health, housing, employment, and other services.
Council leader Steve Pitt, Liberal Democrats, said the local authority is considering putting in a bid. “As a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and a gold veterans' employer, the council is committed to being there for those who face challenges when leaving service,” he added.
“So we welcome this announcement for a national focus on supporting veterans. It gives a huge opportunity for us to build on the work we do with partners to support Portsmouth's armed forces community of over 37,000 people, to provide them with the opportunities they deserve to utilise their unique skills and experience. We will be exploring options to bid for a local veterans support hub through our Armed Forces Solent Partnership, to increase the support offered to ex-servicemen and women right across Hampshire and the Solent.”
As part of Operation Fortitude, a further £12m has been invested into tackling veterans homelessness. The council works alongside the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to refurbish its own properties to rehouse local armed forces families, while also providing dedicated housing support for veterans.
Cllr Darren Sanders, cabinet member for housing and preventing homelessness, said: "Giving our veterans a good place to live is the least we can do for people who would give their lives for this country. The work the Council already does with our partners to deliver that is nationally recognised. So anything else that can do that we welcome.
“We will look at what the VALOUR scheme has to offer Portsmouth, but the new commitments to addressing homelessness and seeing a veteran as an asset are good to see. Should we take part, we want to make sure we can use the fantastic local knowledge we have built up so our local armed forces community can feel the full benefits."