Veterans' charity launches campaign to fund affordable homes for disabled veterans

A charity that provides homes for veterans has launched a public fundraising campaign for the first time in its 110-year history amid spiralling costs.

Veterans Housing Scotland (VHS) provides affordable rental homes to disabled veterans – and say the money required to renovate a property has nearly doubled in the last three years.

Craig and Yvonne Pugh found their “forever home” in Penicuik, Midlothian, with the help of the charity.

They were the very first beneficiaries to be housed in a ‘nomination rights’ homes where the council provides the properties, and VHS provides the wraparound support.

The charity has also helped identify underlying mental health issues affecting Craig, who has served in Kosovo and Iraq.

He told STV News: “You just think you’re getting along with daily life, you don’t think you’ve got issues until you speak to somebody that starts ticking things off.

“It’s made me realise, and given me more confidence in talking about certain issues with mental health.”

Craig has also benefited from mental health support STV News

Craig now works in a barracks as a chef, moved to Scotland with Yvonne in 2018 after they’d lived in England in military accommodation.

Initially they moved into a private rental in Edinburgh, but found the situation difficult.

Yvonne said: “Not only could the rent go up, you could get a letter saying in three months time, ‘sorry, I’m selling up you need to leave’.”

Since moving into a VHS rental, the pair have enjoyed the security of knowing what their rent will be and that they won’t suffer unexpected changes to their tenancy.

That’s the kind of service the charity has prided itself on providing for over a century – but times are tough in the third sector.

VHS hopes it can garner support from the public and private businesses who may be able to offer products and services which will help with renovations.

Chief executive Kevin Gray said: “We don’t want to start raising rents. We’re still well below social rent levels.

“However, at this stage we’re faced with huge costs.

“It’s not unknown to spend £40,000 to £60,000 to refurbish a property.”