Housing for armed forces veterans
There are several services which aim to help veterans and service leavers to access longer term housing options, such as social housing or home ownership.
Before discharge from the Armed Forces the principal responsibility for providing housing information and advice to service personnel lies with the armed forces. These services are delivered by the Defence Transition Services team
Following discharge, the housing support available will depend on an individual’s specific circumstances.
Local Authority social housing
Current or former members of the armed forces can apply to a local housing authority for an allocation of a socially rented home, sometimes referred to as a council or housing association home.
Usually, applicants for social housing must meet the local connection criteria, to qualify for an allocation of social housing. However, local authorities must not apply local connection criteria to applicants who are:
- currently serving in the regular armed forces, or
- have ever served in the regular armed forces, or
- are a bereaved spouse or civil partner where they are leaving Ministry of Defence accommodation following the death of their spouse or partner and the death is wholly or partly attributable to the spouse or partner's service in the regular armed forces, or
- members and former members of the reserve forces are exempt from local connection requirements where they are they are suffering from a serious injury, illness, or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to their service.
Regular armed forces include the army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force.
Reserve forces includes the Territorial Army and other reserve armed forces.
When considering applications from current or former members of the armed forces, or their bereaved spouse of civil partner, local authorities must give additional preference to a person with a housing need who:
- is currently serving in the regular armed forces and suffers from a serious injury, illness or disability attributable, wholly or partly, to their service, or
- formerly served in the regular armed forces, or
- is serving or has served in the reserve armed forces, or
- suffers from a serious injury, illness or disability attributable, wholly or partly, to their service, or
- is a bereaved spouse or civil partner who has recently ceased, or will cease to be entitled, to reside in accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence following the death of their spouse or civil partner and whose death was attributable, wholly or partly, to service in the regular armed forces.
For more information on how to apply to for an allocation of social housing by in Tunbridge Wells please see our Housing Register page.
Other organisations
- Op Fortitude: A government-sponsored referral pathway that can help veterans find suitable accommodation.
- Haig Housing Trust: A charity that provides housing for ex-service personnel in the UK.
- STOLL: Provides supported housing for vulnerable veterans, including those with mental health issues, physical disabilities, or homelessness.
- Veterans' Nomination Scheme: A scheme run by STOLL that matches veterans with social housing properties.
- Forces Help to Buy: A scheme that allows service personnel to borrow up to 50% of their salary towards a property.
- SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity: Provides residential housing for older veterans.
- Veterans Aid: Provides advice for armed forces veterans.
- The Royal British Legion: Provides support for armed forces veterans.
More guidance on finding a civilian homes as a veteran can be found on the Gov.uk website.