An ARMY veteran who has been homeless for 14 years has finally hung his Christmas decorations for the first time in his timeless home.
Bobby Jones, from Irvine, Ayrshire, has spent more than a decade living between precarious private apartments, couch surfing and the streets after being discharged from the military.
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The 53-year-old served in Bosnia, twice in Northern Ireland and in Iraq in 1991 when three of his friends were tragically killed by friendly fire from a US A-10 aircraft.
Later in 1995, after returning from Bosnia, he was diagnosed with debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Over the next ten years, Bobby struggled to cope with his war experiences and as a result alienated his family when his marriage fell apart.
Bobby became homeless four times and slept in his car, on the couches of friends, or lived in dorms.
But since getting help for PTSD symptoms, Bobby finally has a place to call home after moving into a purpose-built home in Irvine this September.
He said: “Being in one place is a great relief for me. Now I feel much calmer.
“Before, I was not settled, I was always on the move.
“I feel like I won’t be kicked out of the house, the landlord isn’t going to sell it.”
Now Bobby is looking forward to spending his first Christmas with a secure roof over his head.
He is going to spend it with his two Yorkshire Terriers and cook a steak for his 23-year-old son.
He is one of nine veterans who have received a home at Tarryholme Social Housing in Riverside, Scotland.
Heather Anderson, Head of Services and Veterans at Riverside Scotland, said: “As an organisation, we are aware that there are often not enough housing options for people released from the armed forces and there is not enough sustained support to address the issue. the needs of these households.
“Our partnership with Veterans First Point provides a much-needed combination of safe and appropriate housing, as well as support to meet any mental, physical, emotional and rental needs for veterans and their families for as long as needed.
“We are so excited to see that our veteran clients are happy and settled into their new homes and can start a new chapter in their lives knowing they have a permanent home.”
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