The Government has issued a consultation paper seeking views on
proposals for new statutory guidance for local authorities to
improve access to social housing for members of the Armed Forces
community, veterans and their families.
Since 2012, current and former service personnel have not had to
be 'resident' in an area to get access to social housing for their
families, as part of the commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
The protections introduced in 2012 ensure that members of the Armed
Forces are not disadvantaged in accessing social housing because of
the requirements of military life and seriously injured and
disabled service personnel, and former members of the Armed Forces,
with urgent housing needs receive high priority for social
housing.
At the same time regulations were introduced to ensure that
serving personnel and those who are recently discharged do not lose
their qualification rights because of the necessity to move from
base to base.
Under further proposals set out in this consultation paper,
former service personnel suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) or other mental illnesses will receive priority for
social housing. Those with PTSD and other mental illnesses could be
treated in the same way as those with physical injuries, and
receive priority.
People who divorce or separate from their partners in the Armed
Forces would also be exempt them from rules requiring them to be a
local resident before being given a property.
The Consultation "Improving access to social housing for members of
the armed forces, veterans and their families" closes on
8 March 2019.