Homes fit for heroes with rapid action to improve family housing

• A new Consumer Charter will be introduced for families in military homes.
• 36,000 military homes were brought back into public ownership in January by the Labour Government – with the full Defence Housing Strategy coming later this year.
• Amanda Hack MP welcomes the new measures for forces families, including higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs, renovation of the homes in most need and a named housing officer for every family.

Living conditions for families in military housing will be transformed under a new Consumer Charter. The new Charter will introduce basic consumer rights for forces families, from essential property information and predictable property standards, to a new robust complaints system. This follows the Government’s landmark deal, completed in January, to bring 36,000 military homes back into public ownership. Eliminating the rental payments to a private company will save the taxpayer £600,000 per day.

Last year, a Defence Select Committee report showed that two-thirds of Service Family Accommodation was ‘essentially no longer fit for purpose’. It found that the quality of housing was significantly impacting Armed Forces recruitment, retention, and morale.

Welcoming the new Consumer Charter, Amanda Hack said:

“In North West Leicestershire, we take pride in supporting those who serve our community. Having already introduced the new Independent Armed Forces Commissioner earlier this year, we are going further to ensure our Armed Service Personnel get the support they need.

It is unacceptable that those laying down their lives to protect our communities should be living in poor conditions, nor getting the appropriate support when repairs and maintenance are required. Taking many of these homes back into public hands earlier this year, ahead of the new Consumer Charter, will enable us to turn the corner on the unacceptable standards and service that have persisted for far too long.”

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

“Our Armed Forces serve with extraordinary dedication and courage to keep us safe. It is only right that they and their families live in the homes they deserve.

“For too long, military families have endured substandard housing without the basic consumer rights that any of us should expect in our homes. That must end and our new Consumer Charter will begin to stop the rot and put families at the heart of that transformation.

“We cannot turn around years of failure on forces housing overnight, but by bringing 36,000 military homes back into public ownership, we’ve already taken greater control and are working at pace to drive up standards. This is about providing homes fit for the heroes who serve our nation, and I’m determined to deliver the decent, affordable housing that our forces families have every right to expect.”

Improvements will be implemented by the one-year anniversary of last December’s announcement regarding military home buybacks. After consultation with military families, the Defence Housing Strategy will provide final details. Meanwhile, the Defence Secretary and the Minister for Veterans have directed the MOD to plan immediate enhancements for the new Consumer Charter, aiming to improve family homes after years of neglect.