Charity creates emergency housing for veterans

Hull4Heroes founder Paul Matson described a huge rise in homeless veterans and their families

Hull4Heroes, a charity, is to begin an emergency housing project for homeless military veterans in Hull.

A donation of more than £85,000 from BAE Systems will allow the charity to purchase and renovate a property in the city.

It will be used to provide emergency accommodation and support for local veterans.

The charity said it would provide veterans with immediate access to short-term support, advice and "tailored assistance packages".

Hull4Heroes was founded by Paul Matson, a veteran himself, who was involved with the TV show DIY SOS Big Build on a project in Manchester called Veterans' Street.

The success of the project in Manchester prompted Mr Matson to set up his own veterans' support hub in Hull with the help of the local armed forces community.

In November Hull4Heroes broke ground on an £18m veterans' village at Cottingham

In November Hull4Heroes broke ground on an £18m "veterans' village" at Cottingham in East Yorkshire.

Mr Matson said the new project in Hull would "not only ease the burden on the council but also ensure that veterans are housed in suitable accommodation with other veterans, managed by veterans, which will make them feel safe and help them to engage in a recovery process”.

Once the property has been bought, the Hull4Heroes team will call on volunteers, beneficiaries and local businesses to help with the transformation and renovation of the house.

“I know that the good people of Hull and surrounding areas will donate their time to help this project," Mr Matson said.

"Veterans often do not seek help until it is too late. They sacrificed a lot in their military careers so this is our chance to give back. "

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