New defence housing service to put forces families first as Healey unveils new strategy
A new defence housing service has been launched at the site of newly improved service family accommodation in west London by Defence Secretary John Healey.
Mr Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns visited the housing as the department unveiled its brand-new defence housing strategy.
During the launch, the pair saw the work that had started and met Armed Forces families who had recently moved into refurbished properties with renovations including new kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems.
The new defence housing service will manage military homes while keeping them in public hands. The body will also offer new homeownership opportunities for military personnel and veterans.
The department revealed that Armed Forces personnel and veterans will be given priority access to homeownership opportunities when defence sites are used for housebuilding as part of the strategy's recommendations.
These 'forces first' homeownership opportunities will apply to a proportion of new homes on selected surplus defence sites, which will be agreed on between the MOD, the local authority and the developer, based on demand and site viability.
"This is the biggest commitment and change to Armed Forces housing in 50 years," Mr Healey told BFBS Forces News' Rosie Laydon.
"It is a £9bn investment over the next decade, that's more than double what the previous government had in place.
"And it will mean we can upgrade 40,000 military family homes over that period, and the work has already started."
The Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP said at least 100,000 new homes could be built on the land.
The defence housing strategy
The defence housing service is part of the new defence housing strategy, which will be funded by £9bn in the next decade.
The strategy comes after £1.5bn was allocated to military family accommodation in the Strategic Defence Review and January's announcement that 36,000 military homes will be brought back into public ownership.
The Labour government's new plans involve adopting a modern approach to allocating homes, improving forecasting, and creating housing zones around operational hubs.
Cat Calder, the Army Families Federation housing specialist and review team member, said that she saw "depth" and "rigour" in the work to find the issues with military housing.
"This has not only highlighted the challenges that we have been raising on behalf of families for many years, but also delivered a clear and robust strategy to improve existing Service Family Accommodation and develop new housing that truly meets the needs of service families," she said.
"I am pleased that the voices of families have been heard and acted upon, and I am optimistic about the potential for a transformative decade in military housing."
Housing to better reflect modern life
Through these proposals, the Ministry of Defence will widen housing eligibility to more service personnel, such as couples in long-term relationships and those who are non-resident parents, to better reflect modern life.
As the homes are being built, personnel will be able to rent privately through a rental support scheme.
The MOD will also review Single Living Accommodation, and proposals will be developed to address the condition and service standards for overseas family homes.
Additional reporting by Rosie Laydon.
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