The MoD has donated a piece of land in Aldershot for a new hostel that will provide ex-service personnel with temporary accommodation and help them find new jobs, Under Secretary of State for Defence, Don Touhig announced today.

The new 25 bed hostel will provide service leavers with access to top of the range computer facilities and trained careers advisors, offering them the chance to develop highly marketable job skills.

The hostel is being developed and run by national housing association English Churches Housing Group (ECHG), in partnership with the MoD and Rushmoor Borough Council. It will be the second of its kind in the UK, and has provided a home, training and employment support for single ex-servicemen and women since 2003.

The land is being gifted by the MoD, with funding from The Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate (part of the ODPM), who have given more than £1.8m to help build and run the hostel in Aldershot, offering the benefits of additional housing and training support to servicemen and women in the South.

Mr Touhig said:
"The vast majority of personnel find Service a positive experience and make a successful transition to civilian life. Unfortunately, a small minority find it harder to do so and are at risk of becoming homeless, even long after they've left the Services.

"The new hostel in Aldershot will provide secure, short-term accommodation for veterans of all ages, and provide help to those who need it. This may include finding somewhere permanent to live, or finding a job using the excellent computer facilities and the advice of trained staff.