Bravest of the brave

The fiery campaign behind the right to UK settlement for thousands of Gurkha veterans enjoyed widespread national support earlier this year and even managed to throw Gordon Brown off-balance – the actress and campaigner Joanna Lumley seemed to have the prime minister eating out of her hand (see timeline overleaf ).

For Gurkha veteran Gopal Gurung and his wife San Maya, aged 65 and 51 respectively, May’s victory – which granted them UK residency – was particularly sweet. Until September last year, the Gurungs had been staying with their son, a serving Gurkha, at an army barracks in Arborfield, near Reading. When he was posted overseas, however, the Gurungs and a group of eight friends in the same situation also had to move on. They found themselves sleeping on a friend’s floor in Reading for four months last winter.

Unable to claim benefits and existing on good will, it was, they recall, a miserable time. ‘It was small, dark, cold and overcrowded,’ says Mrs Gurung, whose husband speaks no English. The group even had to take turns to eat in the hallway.

Then a crucial conversation took place. Chris Roberts, regional operations manager at James Butcher Housing Association (part of Southern Housing Group), learned about the group’s circumstances from Peter Beard, a trustee of the Forgotten British Gurkhas charity and Reading’s mayor. Mr Beard, who left office in May, was ‘pretty horrified’ by what he saw. ‘I thought this should not be happening in my town,’ he says.

Reading Council had already been instrumental in supporting the veterans, writing to local authorities around the country calling on them to support the Gurkhas’ rights to equal citizenship and a pension. But beyond receiving support and advice from the council, the Gurkhas’ status prevented them from joining the authority’s housing register.

Mr Beard and Mr Roberts wanted to do more. Together, they began discussing accommodation options for the veterans. James Butcher had several unoccupied bedsits and the Gurungs and seven other members of the group (the tenth member found a job in Liverpool) were housed in time for Christmas last year. The landlord provided furniture and the first two weeks’ rent, after which the British Legion took over the rent payments.

While the debate about settlement rumbled on, Mr and Mrs Gurung had at least been saved from spending the rest of the winter shivering on their friend’s floor. But reaching their happy ending had not been easy. ‘It was time consuming,’ admits Mr Roberts of the housing process. ‘There were language difficulties, they did not come to us via the usual channels [the local authority] and they were not entitled to welfare benefits.’

Doing the right thing

Just as it remained an uncertain and anxious time for the Gurungs, the landlord’s worries didn’t end there. With the fate of the country’s Gurkhas pending, could housing them before their status had been confirmed have caused any problems?

Uncertainty over their long-term status meant the Gurungs and their friends were given six-month tenancies just in case, but Mr Roberts claims there was no doubt that James Butcher was doing the right thing. ‘I was certain we wanted to make it happen [housing the group],’ he says. ‘We didn’t take a risk – either from a business or a human angle.’

Mrs Gurung says she was pleased with the landlord’s quick decision, and although she acknowledges that the bedsit is small, she says it is ‘comfortable, warm and well cared-for’.

The Gurkhas, the housing association and the mayor were happy – but would local people waiting for a social home feel the same way?

‘We took legal advice and checked that we would not be adversely affecting local need – it was a win-win situation,’ Mr Roberts says. ‘We had no complaints from residents and neighbours about the new tenants.’

The National Housing Federation is also supportive of the landlord’s actions. ‘Our members are committed to supporting those who are in housing need,’ says a spokesperson. ‘We support their efforts to make the best use of their available homes to house homeless individuals and families.’

Housing can often be a problem for people who have served in the armed forces. Veterans from any regiment can often find it difficult to get to grips with the basics of life when they leave. Annabelle Fuller, a spokesperson for the British Legion, notes that homelessness among veterans is a common story. ‘We feel that the government needs to ensure that the Gurkhas are aware of what [housing assistance] is available in this country before they arrive to ensure a smooth transition,’ she says.

Famously, since the Gurungs were housed, the law has changed, granting 36,000 retired Gurkhas the right to live permanently in the country for which they fought. The Home Office estimates this will cost the taxpayer appoximately £40,000 per Gurkha in total.

James Butcher Housing Association is happy that it acted so swiftly while the goverment prevaricated. ‘We’re very, very proud we pre-empted existing government policy. We’re really pleased,’ says Mr Roberts.

Supporting the vulnerable

Despite the housing association’s quick thinking, the length of the time it took the government to reach its decision took its toll. ‘I could not make plans. I was just waiting and waiting,’ says Mrs Gurung of the time before the May announcement.

This case highlights the needs of vulnerable people whose language differences and knowledge gaps may act as barriers when it comes to finding help. ‘We work very closely with the local authority,’ says Mr Roberts. ‘And we are in favour of working very closely with liaison officers and supporting partners when it comes to vulnerable residents.’

Assistance from staff has been vital says Mrs Gurung. ‘I’ve been supported by the staff at James Butcher. The scheme manager, residents and staff have all been very helpful.’

The Gurungs are now having their situation formalised through more standard procedures. However, the living conditions of other veteran Gurkhas in the country – especially in light of the new ruling – are likely to raise important questions about interim accommodation for vulnerable groups.

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