A former soldier who was left with nothing after leaving the army is now turning his life around, thanks to a dedicated housing scheme for veterans in Solihull.
From Tank Crew to Civilian Struggle
Dan Vaughan, 36, served with The Queen’s Royal Hussars in Iraq as a tank crewman. He joined the forces at just 16 years old and left after seven years, grappling with his mental health. He found the transition to civilian life profoundly difficult, having had no preparation for everyday responsibilities.
"When I was in the army your food is paid, your accommodation is paid for, you get your money every month," Mr Vaughan explained. "You come out and no one says ‘if you buy a house or you rent a house you pay council tax’. I didn't even know you had to pay council tax. I didn’t know I could get benefits. I wasn’t aware of the financial system, how things work."
After an apprenticeship and a university degree, he struggled to find stable work, surviving on odd jobs. The challenges escalated after he became a father, leading to alcohol and substance abuse, which he links to the army's drinking culture. "It leads to high anxiety, losing friends, lack of sleep," he said.
A Crisis Point and a Lifeline
By 2022, Mr Vaughan was sofa surfing and often sleeping in his vehicle. His situation reached a critical point in August 2024. "I tried to kill myself," he revealed. "I rang 111 and that was one of the best decisions I ever made. I got mental health support and therapy."
This intervention led him to the Veteran Housing Group, a not-for-profit organisation that supports ex-service personnel. The group provides Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) where veterans can live while receiving training to help them move into employment.
In November 2024, Mr Vaughan moved into the charity's first six-person HMO in Solihull, located in Chelmsley Wood. The property had been empty for two years before the charity transformed it. "It’s nice to have your own space," he said. "It is a really great place to launch myself from." He now aims to pursue a career in driving.
Scaling a Successful Model
The Veteran Housing Group is run by chief executive Chad Maskell, who himself experienced homelessness after leaving the military. The project has garnered strong local support, including from Solihull West and Shirley MP Neil Shastri-Hurst, who is also a veteran.
Mr Maskell explained their approach to the local authority: "We said (to the council) ‘you don’t have to worry about anything veteran related now. We will mobilise in your area, all the pathways come to us.’" The group is now working to set up further accommodation on Windward Way and Hilleys Croft, with ambitions to take the model nationwide.
Greg Ford, the director of housing, stated that Solihull was chosen because the council's armed forces champion immediately supported the project. "This is the highest quality HMO – I think that’s why Solihull Council has got behind it," he said. The group welcomes community support and donations via their website, veteranhousinggroup.com.
