MOD halts military housing plan after defending controversial changes based on need not rank
A Ministry of Defence plan to change the way it provides housing is now in limbo because of a backlash from serving personnel and their families.
The latest changes would have meant service families accommodation (SFA) would have been allocated on need and not seniority – including other sweeping changes that were meant to be implemented next month.
This comes after the Ministry of Defence (MOD) previously defended new policy changes to its subsidised military housing, when a petition was launched calling for a review.
A defence minister has insisted the MOD has now "listened to feedback" and will be conducting a review.
Called the Modernised Accommodation Offer, the rule changes would have also seen those who are not married qualify for SFA for the first time.
Under current rules, senior officers receive housing based on their rank but the new rules will focus on the number of rooms required for any dependants.
This means junior ranks could be entitled to larger MOD housing stock, previously reserved for more senior ranks.
Forces News has spoken to a senior officer who expressed worries about SFA stock numbers, as the MOD is not building new homes to account for the increase in those who will be eligible if the rules change.
The Minister for Defence People, Service Families and Veterans said: "Our Armed Forces personnel make extraordinary sacrifices to protect our nation, which is why our Modernised Accommodation Offer (MAO) gives greater flexibility, backed by an extra £200m investment.
"This is on top of £24bn to upgrade accommodation and build new living quarters for our service personnel over the next decade."
Dr Andrew Murrison, a Royal Navy reservist and MP for South West Wiltshire, went on to say: "Based on feedback from service personnel, the MAO will improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation, help military personnel get on the housing ladder by refunding up to £1,500 expenses and give personnel more preference in how they live".
He added that "we have listened to feedback and are conducting a review, therefore pausing the rollout of the elements of the policy related to Service Family Accommodation. This includes the move to needs-based allocation and, in the short term, the widening of entitlement".
"We are committed to widening entitlement to those in established long-term relationships and parents with non-resident children."
On X, the RAF Families Federation posted about the pause to the rollout, saying "We support wider consultation on the proposed changes, including an approach that considers the impacts to all ranks."
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