Help and housing for armed forces personnel
Members of Her Majesty’s regular, naval, military and air forces are generally provided with accommodation by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), but are required to leave this accommodation when they are discharged from service. If a member of the armed forces is going to be discharged from the service the MOD issues a ‘Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy Service Accommodation’ six months before discharge. This certificate indicates when entitlement to occupy service accommodation ends. We will consider this certificate as proof that an individual is threatened with homelessness.
Can I get help before I leave the Armed Forces?
If you are leaving the Armed Forces you have the right to help with finding somewhere to live.
You can get help through the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO).
They provide information and advice for you and your dependants, especially if you are about to return to civilian life. If you are a veteran currently living in Armed Forces housing, they can help you move out and find a civilian home.
Contact details are:
JHSAO
Floor 2, Zone 2
Montgomery House
Queens Avenue
Aldershot
GU11 2JN
Email: RC-Pers-JSHAO-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
JSHAO telephone advice line: 07814 612120
Help from the council to prevent or relieve homelessness
If you are homeless or due to be homeless in the next 56 days, the Council may have a legal duty to prevent or relieve your homelessness. Find out more about your rights.
In some circumstances, the council might decide if you are homeless that we need to provide you with accommodation because of having a priority need resulting from your time in the armed forces custody. When deciding this, the Council are required to consider:
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the length of time you were in the forces and what role you had
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if you spent any time in a military hospital
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if you were released from service on medical grounds (and have a Medical History release form)
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if you have had accommodation since leaving the service, your ability to obtain and maintain accommodation; and
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how long you have left the service.
Find out further information.
Use our Housing Options Finder tool to see what other options may be available to you - the sooner you know about your options, the sooner you can take the right action for you.
Further support and advice
There are a range of national and local support services who offer advice on matters including housing, employment and education, health, support, finances and family life. For further information please contact them directly.