Established 2005 Registered Charity No. 1110656

Scottish Charity Register No. SC043760

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Honoured soldier forced into homelessness

September 16 2011
 Iraq and Afghanistan veteran cannot get housed in Aberdeen

 

A soldier who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan could now face homelessness upon his return to Aberdeen because the council cannot find accommodation for him and his family.

Dean Ramsay - who was honoured with the prestigious Freedom of the City award for his 10 years’ service with the Highlanders 4th Battalion Royal Regiment Scotland - was told that his family, including his baby son, might have to register as homeless until suitable housing became available.

The 26-year-old father-of-one is due to return to Scotland later on in the new year to carry out off-shore inspections work after a non-combat-related injury forced him to leave the army. Meanwhile, his wife and one-year-old son are due to return to Scotland ahead of him and have nowhere to live.

Expressing concerns on the matter, Ramsay said: "My wife and son are due to move back to Aberdeen in the middle of August. Why does a soldier who has been fighting for his country have to be homeless before they can put a roof over his or her family's head?"

He has since contacted members of the Scottish Parliament in his endeavors to resolve the matter, including Aberdeen Donside SNP MSP Brian Adam, who offered to make representations on his behalf to the city council. Mr Adam said: "Unfortunately there is a shortage of social housing in Aberdeen and the number of people on the waiting lists exceeds 8,000, while the council's stock has been severely depleted due to 'right to buy'."

Councillor Gordon Graham has also offered to take up his case, saying: “An exception should be made in this family's case to provide housing or at least help in some way.”

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