Mac was a Military Matters client in 2025. We helped him to find a new home in Edinburgh, in a flat owned and managed by a national veterans charity.
After I left the Army, I was in a relationship that broke down, so I decided to go on the road for a while to try living in my van. I travelled to Spain and enjoyed the warm weather in winter but as time went on, I realised that I needed a base, as living in a van is difficult and not as glamourous as social media may make out.
In summer 2024, I tried to approach the council. They directed me towards purchasing a home as I had a bit of savings, but I didn’t want to have a mortgage at my age. I was speaking with the forces charities to help me find a home. I wasn’t classed as homeless, and not a priority. I was just looking for a base, somewhere to settle. I was being offered a residential setting, but I didn’t feel ready to live in shared accommodation.
All the charities I spoke with tried their best to help me. Eventually I was directed to Housing Options Scotland who kept in touch with me and, through taking time to get to know me, found out about a flat that was coming up in Edinburgh. It was run by a military charity and when I went to meet them, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be offered the flat.
In total it took four weeks from the offer to moving in. I took my bed out of the van and into the house. Friends and neighbours gave me some items to help me settle and even Housing Options Scotland came to visit me to see how I was.
Help for Heroes helped me, and I recycled free furniture to furnish my home. Housing Options Scotland had also helped my neighbour who only had good things to say about them.
My flat has a black door, No 11, so I call it the Chancellor’s house. It gives me and my neighbours a laugh.
These days I walk everywhere and live close to the Hills. Kalee, my dog, just loves the flat and the neighbours love her company. I have made new friends in my community, and I talk to everyone I meet. Everything is good and I can’t believe how fortunate I am to have landed here. If I hadn’t had help from Housing Options Scotland, I would probably still be stuck in my van.
Mac, September 2025
Update, May 2026: We checked in with Mac and he’s still very happy living at No 11 with his dog Kalee. He now runs a successful dog-walking business. “It’s a nice area, and I’ve met lots of new people. We definitely feel like part of the community.”