THE number of armed forces veterans considered homeless, or threatened by homelessness, is increasing in North Ayrshire.

The statistics were released by the Scottish Government earlier this month following a Freedom of Information request.

Within the data was figures showing the number of former armed forces members who have been assessed as homeless, or are threatened by homelessness, year on year.

This has been broken down to show the numbers for each local authority in Scotland, as well as the overall figure nationally.

Initial statistics date back to the year 2007/08, with most recent data coming from the year 2021/22.

Across Scotland, the number of veterans who find themselves in this situation has decreased by more than half from 1,335 in 2007/08 to 640 in the most recent figures.

Though in North Ayrshire, this number has increased from 10 in 2007/08, to 30 in 2021/22. The number has also increased year on year from 20 in 2020/21.

This figure is the highest seen across the whole measured time period - and has only been reached twice previously, in 2008/09 and 2019/20.

It is also the highest figure of all Ayrshire authorities, with the latest figures showing 15 veterans as homeless, or threatened by homelessness, in East Ayrshire - and the number for South Ayrshire at 25.

In light of the figures, North Ayrshire Council have looked to emphasise the help that is for the veteran community.

A spokesperson said: “We provide a range of support to our Veteran community and will always be there for them and recognise the sacrifices they have made.

“We created the role of Veteran Champion in 2017 and they pursue issues on their behalf, while Veteran’s First Point was also launched in 2017.

“The service works closely with Housing Services and will ensure that where there is a housing need that the veteran will be appropriately referred.

“Over the past four years Riverside Scotland (North Ayrshire Housing Register partner) has made a strong commitment to providing homes for veterans at risk of homelessness within their developments in Ayrshire including Tarryholme, Dundonald and Monkton.

“The increase in approaches could be reflective of the service that Veteran’s First Point deliver in Ayrshire. It is also important to note that Ayrshire has armed forces and reservists bases in the location.

"If individuals or families are settled within these communities, there will always be a demand from armed forces applicants whether through homeless assistance or applications to the North Ayrshire Housing Register.”

It was added that a change in Scottish Government guidance in 2016 may have contributed to the increase.

Prior to the guidance, applicants that did not wish homeless assistance were not recorded as such, advice and support was provided to source alternative accommodation or prevent the loss of accommodation where appropriate.

However, the guidance stipulated that anyone that indicates that they are threatened with homeless must be recorded as such regardless of the wishes of the applicant.

A similar message about the help available was put across by Paul Coffey, the president of the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.

He commented: "Any veteran who is homeless is one homeless veteran too many.

"We have access to 'Homeless Veterans Project' (07498378563, admin@homelessveteransproject.co.uk) and of course 'Veterans First Point' (01294310400) in Irvine both can help if the veteran gets on their radar. 

"North Ayrshire is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant so should help, however there may be the need to assess if there are any underlying issues with the homeless veteran such as physical or mental health welfare needs that may require specialist help.

"It's good that the numbers are going down nationally but there needs to be a local investigation as to the reasons why the number are increasing in North Ayrshire when there is help available."