Minister for Veterans Announces £1 Million Grant for RBLI

Today (17 October), Alistair Carns OBE MC MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Minister for Veterans and People, visited Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) in Aylesford, Kent to announce a £1 million grant for RBLI’s expansion of its Centenary Village. This significant investment will accelerate the construction of additional housing for veterans, including those who are homeless, and support RBLI’s mission to support vulnerable veterans.

During his visit to RBLI’s Centenary Village, the Minister spoke with veterans in the House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), gaining firsthand insight into the transformative impact of RBLI’s work. The HMO, which will soon provide safe housing for female veterans facing homelessness or escaping domestic violence, was a key focus of his visit. One veteran shared her anticipation of moving into the HMO once it opens.

The new female HMO will also include Move On apartments, a welfare base for professional support staff, and an IT learning hub, providing opportunities for veterans to continue their professional development and seek out new work-from-home opportunities. Further family homes and apartments will be developed within the village.

The Minister’s visit underscored the critical need for dedicated housing and support services for veterans. The Centenary Village, which began in 2019 to mark RBLI’s centenary, is a purpose-built community offering a mix of housing, from apartment, family homes, apartments and independent living.

Lisa Farmer, RBLI Chief Executive, added: “We are incredibly grateful to Alistair Carns OBE MC and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs for this £1 million grant, which will significantly speed up construction at our Centenary Village. This grant will allow us to deliver another HMO, while also kick-starting the construction of further new homes at the Centenary Village. This marks a huge step forward in our mission to provide much-needed housing for veterans and their families.

“At our Centenary Village, we provide more than just housing, we offer a lifeline, a place where veterans can access the holistic support they need to rebuild their lives. The new facilities, especially the female House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), will have a life-changing impact on the women who will call it home, offering them a safe space and the comprehensive care they need to rebuild their lives.”

The veterans who live on RBLI’s Centenary Village will benefit from the charity’s STEP-IN programme, which integrates healthcare, mental health, employability services, and wellbeing activities. This structured coaching programme is vital for veterans facing complex challenges such as mental health issues, homelessness, and trauma recovery.