New homes 'will give veterans their dignity back'

4 hours ago

Leanne Brownin Hull

News image — Volunteer Peter Holden worked on the project for more than a year

A homeless veteran has moved into new emergency accommodation set up by a charity in Hull.

A house in the city has been transformed into three self-contained living spaces for veterans in need.

The project, led by Hull 4 Heroes, has taken 15 months and involved hundreds of hours of work by volunteers and local firms.

"We can take a veteran off the street and give him his dignity back," said volunteer Peter Holden, a former soldier who worked on the renovation for more than a year.

A man stands in front of a smart-looking, terraced, red-brick house and smiles towards the camera. He has cropped grey hair and wears a blue fleece over a white shirt, and black jeans. The house white a white bay window and a black door. — Paul Matson, of Hull 4 Heroes, says he is "buzzing" about the new-look house

The first veteran moved in on Thursday afternoon.

Paul Matson, the chief executive of Hull 4 Heroes, said the house had been "a bit of rack and ruin" when purchased.

Over 15 months, the charity "took it back down to brick" and "practically rebuilt" the property – a transformation made possible only because of the scale of community support.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic, honestly. I am buzzing," he added.

Each of the three self-contained homes has a bedroom, kitchenette and bathroom. The house also has a communal space designed to encourage social connection.

A modern-looking living space with a single bed, a wardrobe, chests of drawers and a kitchenette. The walls are white, while the decor is co-ordinated with a grey carpet, furniture and bedding, and a blue ottoman and towels. A bedside lamp glows a warm yellow colour. The kitchenette has light grey cupboards and surfaces, an aluminium basin and a black kettle and coffee machine. — The homes are designed to give veterans in need a fresh start

According to Mr Matson, the accommodation will help veterans at crisis points in their lives.

"The loss of a home is almost the loss of your life – there's no way forward, you can't see any other way," he said.

''This way it's a beginning, we give that fresh start."

Funding was provided by defence contractor BAE Systems, which paid £85,000 towards its purchase and development.

David Beals, general manager at BAE's site in Brough, near Hull, said: "We have a lifelong relationship and partnership with our armed forces and military personnel.

''It's something that we're really passionate about."

He described the house as "absolutely fantastic".

"The standard of accommodation and the quality of it is unbelievable. I'm absolutely blown away," he added.

A modern-looking kitchenette, with a window overlooking a garden dominated by an evergreen tree. The kitchen cupboards are cream-coloured and there is an aluminium basin. A black microwave, kettle and other kitchen gadgets stand on the counter. — The accommodation offers "five-star living", according to volunteers

The completion of the project comes as Hull 4 Heroes marks its 10th anniversary, with further housing schemes now being planned.

Holden, who worked on the house for 14 months, said the project had been about more than bricks and mortar: "I've seen it from being a shell of a place to what it is now and personally I think it's five-star living for veterans."

Reflecting on the work, he added: "There was some banter, it's military banter, and that's what I like about it.

"When you come to think about it, we are family and family matters – and that's what this veteran will be – he'll be part of our family.''

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