A military charity dedicated to providing accommodation for ex-servicemen and their families has received a massive funding boost.

The Minister of Veterans and People, Alistair Carns MP visited the Royal British Legion Industries Centenary Village at Aylesford on Thursday, and, while there, he announced a £1m government grant towards the project.

During his visit, the Minister spoke with veterans, gaining first-hand insight into the transformative impact of RBLI’s work.

One aspect of the new phase of the centenary village will be a House of Multiple Occupancy specifically for female veterans facing homelessness or escaping domestic violence.

It will include a welfare base for professional support staff, and an IT learning hub, and provide opportunities for veterans to seek out new work-from-home opportunities.

Further family homes and apartments are also being developed within the village to supplement the accommodation already finished.

Work on the Centenary Village began in 2019, the 100th anniversary of the charity’s founding.

Mr Carns said: “The Prime Minister has promised homes will be there for our heroes, and this funding builds on that promise.

“This award is an important step in our journey to deliver a sustainable supply of social and affordable veteran housing by supporting the sector to build new housing or refurbish current homes.

“Coupled with this government’s commitment to exempt all our veterans from local connection social housing rules in England, we’re making huge strides to ensure all veterans have access to the warm and welcoming accommodation they deserve.”

Lisa Farmer is the chief executive of RBLI. She said: “We are incredibly grateful for this £1 million grant as it marks a huge step forward in our mission to provide much-needed housing for veterans and their families.

“At our Centenary Village, we provide more than just housing, we offer a lifeline, a place where veterans can access the holistic support they need to rebuild their lives.”

“The new facilities, especially the female House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), will have a life-changing impact on the women who will call it home, offering them a safe space and the comprehensive care they need to rebuild their lives.”

The veterans who live on RBLI’s Centenary Village will also benefit from the charity’s STEP-IN programme, which integrates healthcare, mental health, employability services, and wellbeing activities with a structured coaching programme.

To find out more about the RBLI visit here.

A number of homes at the village are already occupied and were officially opened by Princess Anne on a visit in April, 2023.

Last year, KentOnline ran a series of articles on the Centenary Village to help RBLI raise an additional £100,000 towards the project.

The total cost of the scheme is expected to be around £22m.

RBLI already provides accommodation for around 350 veterans, as well as offering employment for some of them in its road-sign manufacturing plant.