After spending more than 20 years living in caravans and motorhomes, army veteran James Makinson said having a permanent home gave him one thing: "security".

Known as Jimmy, the 79-year-old was helped into accommodation in Wigan through Homes at Ease, a housing programme run by the not-for-profit organisation Armed Forces Community HQ.

The scheme helps veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes find permanent accommodation through social housing providers and private landlords. Since 2023, it has received more than 500 referrals across the North West.

"I can't say enough about this place," Makinson said of Armed Forces Community HQ, which helped him.

Lisa Murgatroyd, strategic development director at the organisation, said 99.5% of veterans housed through the scheme remained in permanent accommodation for more than six months.

Murgatroyd said much of the homelessness experienced by veterans was hidden, with people staying on friends' sofas or in insecure accommodation rather than sleeping rough.

"We believe that every veteran should have a key to their own front door at the earliest opportunity," she said.

Armed Forces Community HQ also provides wider support, including help with health, employment and social connections.

Dean Hook, 54, who served in the Royal Air Force between 1990 and 1993, is among those who use its facilities.

He credited support from fellow veterans and organisations, including Armed Forces Community HQ, with helping him.

"I could come here and be sad, but then somebody will cheer me up," he said.

Hook said the opportunity to speak to people with similar experiences was particularly important.

Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig visited the centre on Friday to meet veterans and discuss the support available to them.

She said she wanted the approach in Wigan to become a blueprint for a "gold standard" of support across Greater Manchester, including faster access to affordable housing, specialist services and help finding employment.

"No one in a country as rich as ours should be on the streets and no one in Greater Manchester should face a life on the streets," she said.

The mayor said the region was expanding its A Bed Every Night programme, which provides emergency accommodation and support for people sleeping rough.

She said the aim was to offer everyone sleeping rough a place to stay by Christmas, although she acknowledged that not everyone currently had somewhere to sleep each night.

For Jimmy, having a permanent home has brought a sense of security, although he has not completely given up his former way of life.

He still owns his motorhome, but says he now uses it only occasionally.