Veterans to get greater access to social housing as Govt axes five-year restriction

Veterans are being give greater access to social housing with the removal of a local connection requirement which restricted access for some struggling former service personnel.

From 18 December they will be exempt from rules that restrict access to social housing for people who do not have a connection to the local area.

Previously, the rules dictated that people were required to have a five-year local link with a particular area before they could live there.

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Veterans Minister Al Carns said: "This is a government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country.

"We will give nothing less to this task than what those brave and talented men and women have given for our nation.

"The Prime Minister pledged that 'homes will be there for heroes' and today marks an important step forward in delivering that promise.

"Our Government is taking action which will mean that all UK Armed Forces veterans will be exempt from rules that require a connection to a local area before accessing social housing in England.

"This action shows our Government is delivering our manifesto to strengthen support for our Armed Forces communities and to ensure veterans have access to the housing support they need.

"As a Royal Marine Commando, I served in every major conflict of the last 20 years, and I have seen countless acts of courage, selflessness and kindness from the exceptional men and women of our Armed Forces."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously pledged that veterans would have a roof over their heads.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference earlier this year, Sir Keir said "homes will be there for heroes" and he promised to house all veterans in housing need across England.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has written to local councils reminding them of their obligation to prioritise veterans for social housing.

Wider support has been put in place, including a £3.5m boost to the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme and Operation Fortitude.

Government investment in housing will also increase to £5bn for next year and this includes an extra £500m in new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme to deliver tens of thousands of new affordable and social homes across the country.

This will help support the Government’s commitment to delivering 1.5 million homes by the next Parliament and generating economic growth.