Veterans' charity, Poppyscotland, has donated £250,000 to Scottish Veterans Residences to help with the construction of its £6.7m housing development, Scottish Housing News has said.

The development will see 51 flats constructed at Bellrock Crescent, Cranhill, which are scheduled to open in 2014.

To date, £5.7m has been raised for the project.

Glasgow was chosen for the project, because of 1,080 homeless applications to local authorities in 2012/13, 568 were from the west of Scotland.

The development at Bellrock Crescent will provide a combination of both independent and supported accommodation with a focus on younger veterans who are struggling to make the transition from military to civilian life. The complex will also include facilities for training, education and employment, along with resources to support veterans and keep them motivated.


Gary Gray, Head of Welfare Services at Poppyscotland, is quoted as saying: "Finding suitable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing people leaving the Armed Forces. Not having a house, or the right house, often impacts on all areas of a person's life, affecting their finances, mental wellbeing and relationships.

"Therefore, we are pleased to support the work of Scottish Veterans Residences with this grant of £250,000, which we believe will help to address critical housing needs in the west of Scotland."

Scottish Veterans Residences Chief Executive Ian Ballantyne added: "This grant is a significant boost to the funds for our supported accommodation project in Glasgow. Poppyscotland's support will help to provide the high quality accommodation and facilities needed to achieve our joint aim of helping veterans make a successful transition to stable, fulfilling civilian lives."

(JP/MH)