Veterans and their families

Social housing

(also known as council housing) - is let at low rents on a secure basis to those who are most in need or struggling with their housing costs. Normally councils and not-for-profit organisations, such as housing associations, are the ones to provide social housing.

You can find the contact details of your local authority via the Veterans Gateway and all of Lancashire’s local authorities have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

To be eligible for social housing you will need to be:

  • currently serving in the Regular Forces, or have served in the Regular Forces at any time in the five years preceding an application for social housing
  • a bereaved spouse, or civil partner of someone serving in the Regular Forces where the bereaved spouse or civil partner has recently had to leave, or will soon have to leave, Ministry of Defence accommodation following the death of their service spouse or civil partner in service
  • a current, or former member of the Reserve Forces who is suffering from a serious injury, illness, or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to their service.

In an application, you need to tell the council:

  • that you have served in the Armed Forces
  • if your current home is overcrowded
  • If you have medical problems* or a disability which means your current home is unsuitable
  • if you are at risk of homelessness
  • if you can’t afford a privately rented home.

*If you have medical problems or a disability you may need to get letters from a doctor to support your application.

The Improving access to social housing for members of the Armed Forces guidance, published 27 June 2020, sets out how local authorities can ensure that estranged spouses and civil partners of serving personnel are not disadvantaged when applying for social housing, and that members of the Armed Forces and veterans suffering from mental ill health are given the priority for social housing that they deserve.

Further information:

  • Shelter council housing
  • Citizens Advice housing options for people leaving the Armed Forces, veterans and their families
  • SSAFA the Armed Forces charity has expert housing advisors who can offer impartial advice and guidance for those who have left the Armed Forces

Homelessness

There is Special consideration for those who are vulnerable and regulations ensure that, where Local Housing Authorities decide to use a local connection requirement as a qualification criterion, they must not apply it to the following persons so as to disqualify them from an allocation of Social Housing:

  • those who are currently serving in the Regular Forces or who were serving in the Regular Forces at anytime in the five years preceding their application for an allocation of Social Housing
  • bereaved spouses or civil partners of those serving in the Regular Forces where the bereaved spouse or civil partner has recently had to leave, or will soon have to leave, Ministry of Defence accommodation following the death of their Service spouse or civil partner in Service
  • current or former members of the Reserve Forces who are suffering from a serious injury, illness, or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to their Service

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 requires local Housing Authorities to intervene to prevent and relieve homelessness, with former members of the Regular Armed Forces named as a specific group to be supported. Housing Authorities are required to assist individuals if they are likely to become homeless within 56 days. This applies to all Service personnel leaving Single Living Accommodation or Service Family Accommodation 56 days before their discharge date.

Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 allows Local Authorities to provide help, in the form of temporary accommodation, to applicants who are homeless, eligible, in priority need, not intentionally homeless and who have a local connection with the area in question. Under the Homelessness (Priority Need for Accommodation) (England), Service personnel applying for assistance in England are in priority need if they are ‘vulnerable’ as a result of having been in the Services.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance states that the following will be considered by a Local Authority when deciding if an applicant from the Services is vulnerable:

  • how long the individual has been in the Armed Forces
  • type of Service
  • any time spent in a military hospital
  • whether the Armed Forces medical and/or welfare advisers consider the person is vulnerable
  • how long it has been since the person left the Armed Forces
  • what support networks are available

It is really important when asking for special consideration as part of your homelessness application that you:

  • make it clear to the Housing Officer that you are asking for special consideration under the Armed Forces Covenant
  • explain how your experiences in service have resulted in you becoming vulnerable
  • explain your specific medical needs, whether physical or mental health, as this may help them to find you suitable accommodation
  • provide any original documentation you may have from Defence Medical Services, the MOD or NHS to support your application. This will include your service number and branch of service
  • provide details of any support agencies such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion or Veterans Contact Point who may be supporting you.

You can have someone to support you during a homelessness application. This can be an advocate from a support agency, or a member of your family, or a friend and if you need a break from the assessment say so.

Please note – special consideration can only be asked for and is assessed on a case by case basis. It is not a right or automatic entitlement.

On 24 May 2020, the Government announced plans for thousands of long-term, safe homes to support many of the vulnerable rough sleepers who have been supported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, vulnerable rough sleepers taken off the streets during the pandemic can get the specialist support they need, including support relating to needs resulting from having served in the Armed Forces, to rebuild their lives. This unprecedented commitment – the biggest of its kind since the government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative began – will be backed by £160 million in 2020 to 2021 to inject 3,300 new units of accommodation this year, part of 6,000 in total.

Further support:

Veteran specific services in Lancashire

Healthier Heroes CIC run a veteran specific programme called - UNITE as one, INSPIRE one another, BELIEVE anything is possible. This programme aims to rehome veterans by providing supported accommodation within their Bancroft House location in Burnley and to rehabilitate and reconnect veterans and their families regardless of when they left the services. They also support veterans from the criminal justice system, using a peer mentoring programme to help them rebuild their lives and find jobs. With their combined lived experience and person led approach to the programme, they strive to help veterans and their families overcome barriers that restrict their lives.

Creating Change Housing Management have created a veteran specific shared house in Preston aimed at homeless and vulnerable military veterans. Their supported housing model provides support workers to assist resident with access to additional support for a range of issues.

My Space Housing SolutionsMy Space Housing Solutions are a registered social landlord and charitable housing association. We provide quality accommodation and support to vulnerable adults who require our specialist services, these include Military Veterans who now occupy around 55 units of self-contained accommodation across our portfolio.

We provide specialised supported accommodation to any veteran aged 18+ who require tenancy-related support. This could be, setting up bill payments, budgeting, reporting repairs, property maintenance, keeping themselves and the property safe, being a good neighbour, keeping the property clean and tidy. Our Housing Support Officers will also be able to assist those who have had failed tenancies in the past or have issues with debt. Our experienced staff will ensure that people living in our properties understand the terms of their tenancy and can manage this appropriately.

We have aligned our values with those of the Armed Forces Covenant which demonstrates our support to the armed forces community and work closely with the Lancashire local authorities in support of their housing principles to support military veterans across the county.

We have a presence across Lancashire and whilst we do accept self-referrals, we would prefer referrals from professional organisations where possible. Please use our referral form.