Support with Council Housing
The Council commits to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
The Housing Allocation Policy does not disadvantage current or former members of the Armed Forces, who will be exempt from the residency test.
Residency Test Criteria
Exemptions from the residency test criteria includes:
- Members or Former Members of the Armed Forces, this includes Former Members of the Reserve Forces.
- Bereaved spouses and civil partners of members of the Armed Forces leaving service family accommodation following the death of their spouse/partner.
- Relationship breakdown and divorcees of Members of the Armed Forces and Former Members of the Reserve Forces at the time of application.
How your application is assessed
Reasonable preference will be awarded to veterans in urgent housing need by awarding band two for the following circumstances:
- Those leaving His Majesties Armed Forces and have no accommodation to return to.
- Former Members of the Armed Forces in urgent housing need e.g. their current accommodation is not meeting their medical need or they are homeless or facing homelessness withing 56 days.
- Former Members of the Armed Forces or Reserve Forces who are suffering from an injury, illness, or disability, which is wholly attributed to the time in service and their accommodation is not suitable.
- Bereaved spouses and civil partners of deceased members of the Armed Forces not entitled to accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence following the death of their spouse/partner.
- Is currently in a relationship breakdown from a serving Member of the Armed Forces or Former Members of the Armed Forces at the time of application.
Applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Where there is a medical need, this will be assessed by the medical assessment panel.
Applicants who are owed a main homelessness duty, or suffering with a serious medical need will be considered for band one.
