Written question asked by Pete Wishart (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 14 July 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 July 2010. It was answered by Lord Robathan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Housing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department provides to secure alternative accommodation for families vacating service accommodation.

Answer: All service personnel can access information held by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) throughout the country and overseas. The JSHAO offers financial advice for future housing options including access to the Government's affordable housing schemes where most service personnel have priority status that continues for 12 months post discharge date. Guidance was issued in Scotland in 2009 to ensure that service personnel are not disadvantaged when applying for social housing. Housing legislation was amended in 2008 in England to enable service personnel to gain a local connection through employment or residence while still serving when applying for social housing.In addition, within each local Defence Housing Information Centre, there is a Tenancy Officer who can signpost the options available for families vacating service accommodation.For single personnel Single Persons Accommodation Centre for Ex Services (SPACES) aims to assist single service leavers with securing accommodation. Our latest project 'The Beacon' in Catterick complements Mike Jackson House in Aldershot and The Galleries in Richmond which helps us to reduce the potential of a single person leaving the armed forces and becoming homeless.

Secondary information