Help 4 Homeless Veterans has purchased its first ever property to provide safe accommodation for veterans facing homelessness.

The five-bedroom home in Rotherham, which carries a blue plaque recognising its historic use as accommodation for Polish military personnel, will be used as a temporary base for UK veterans who are sleeping rough. While staying at the property, residents will receive support from the charity’s team, including advice on securing longer-term housing, accessing financial assistance and obtaining practical items to help them move on.

Steve Bentham-Bates, chief executive officer at Help 4 Homeless Veterans, said: "Completing on the sale of this property is a huge milestone for the charity and the scope of support we can offer. Since the charity was founded, we have helped more than 1,100 veterans with their housing challenges and having this home as a safe space for veterans will allow us to continue that ongoing support without the need for expensive hotel rooms.

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"There is a long history of military connection to the home too, which felt serendipitous and we're incredibly grateful to the organisations that have engaged with us to make this possible, including the Mayor of Barnsley, Mayor of Rotherham, local contractors and the generosity of the general public."

Work to prepare the property for use is being managed by regional procurement specialist EN:Procure, part of Efficiency North, which is acting as project manager. EN:Procure will coordinate contractors from its frameworks who have volunteered their services at free or reduced rates to carry out minor renovation works over the coming weeks.

Simeon Perry, head of ESG at EN:Procure, said: "We have always been impressed by the incredible work Help 4 Homeless Veterans does to protect veterans since we first supported them as our Christmas Charity of the Year in 2015. When we were approached again to support this project, we knew we could provide the professional knowledge and services to get the home ready. Several contractors across our frameworks are on hand and ready to turn this house into the space the charity needs."

Renovation and cosmetic works are expected to take a few weeks, with an official opening planned for the spring, when the property will be ready to welcome its first residents.