Ex-armed forces to get help with housing

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has set out plans to ensure that members of the armed forces get the housing help they need.

He argued that all too often, the nature of military work can become a "blockade" to service men and women securing a home - whether buying or applying for social housing.

The package includes help for first time buyers. Service men and women looking to own their first home will be at the front of the queue for Government-funded home ownership schemes, including the new FirstBuy scheme. Military personnel and their families will be prioritised for up to a year after their active service ends.

To make sure they know exactly what's on offer, housing experts are visiting military bases across the country to explain how military staff can apply for a new build homes.

Ministers believe that years of loyal service to this country should not become an obstacle to finding a home, yet moving from base-to-base can often leave troops without strong local connections - something many councils look for when allocating social homes. So Shapps has pledged to give councils a duty to put ex-servicemen and women who want a home in their area at the top of the local waiting list.

Darlington

Darlington Building Society already offers an exclusive mortgage for armed forces personnel.

The society held long and complex discussions with armed forces representatives, taking all the issues into account. Special concessions were agreed regarding identity and residency verification and the society has even agreed that, where necessary, the property could be let before the borrower took residence which may not be until he/she left the armed forces.

Other Government plans

In addition Shapps said there will be support for the wounded. The Government has increased funding for home adaptations, so that people returning from active service with serious injuries can live independently.

Government is also working to bring relief to those in uniform whose years serving abroad or living on military bases have left them with no permanent address - which can often make applying for credit or a mortgage almost impossible. Ministers are working closely with credit companies and the Royal Mail to ensure the unique circumstances of military life will no longer be an obstacle.

For ex-service personnel who find the transition back to civilian life difficult, Ministers across Government are working with homelessness and veteran experts to find out how we can prevent veterans from facing a life on the streets.

Housing minister Grant Shapps said: "Our brave men and women in uniform aren't looking for sympathy and handouts, but all too often their selfless sacrifice for this country can become a major blockade on the road to a home of their own.

"That's why house-hunting heroes on the look-out for their first home will be at the very front of the queue for new Government-funded schemes like Firstbuy. And we're working hard to make sure that our troops know exactly what options are open to them.

"Equally, years of loyal military service should not be rewarded with years of languishing on local waiting lists. Just as our brave troops answered their call of duty, councils will need to do the same, to ensure that heroes who want a home in their area will be at the top of local waiting lists.

"All these actions mean we're marching double-time toward making sure that those who serve our country get the homes and support they deserve."