More than 1,000 of the UK’s poorest-condition military homes have now been refurbished ahead of Christmas, meeting a target set under the Ministry of Defence’s Consumer Charter and delivering on early stages of the Government’s Defence Housing Strategy.
Work to improve the properties – identified as the worst in need of repair – has finished ahead of schedule. The programme has now been expanded, with a further 250 homes due for priority upgrades in the coming months, a 25% increase on the original commitment made eight months ago by Defence Secretary John Healey.
Upgrades have been delivered across all four nations, including almost 700 homes in England, more than 150 in Northern Ireland, over 100 in Wales and more than 50 in Scotland. Areas to benefit include Wiltshire, Windsor, Bassingbourn, Swanton Morley, Woodbridge and Uxbridge.
The work forms part of a long-term plan to renew the defence housing estate, backed by £9 billion of investment over the next decade. The Defence Housing Strategy aims to refurbish, rebuild or modernise more than 40,000 service family homes, following the return of 36,000 military homes to public ownership last year.
Properties refurbished so far have received improvements such as new flooring, replacement boilers, upgraded heating systems, new bathrooms and kitchens, roof repairs, and new windows and doors.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
Our Armed Forces and their families sacrifice so much for our country, the least they deserve are safe and decent homes. The work we’ve done to upgrade the 1,000 worst homes means that more families can now enjoy Christmas together in homes that are fit for heroes.
This is just the start of our ambitious work to upgrade tens of thousands of homes across the country, made possible by our landmark deal to bring 36,000 homes back into public ownership and backed by £9 billion investment. We are ending the decades of neglect and giving our dedicated Armed Forces families the homes they deserve.
Service personnel are already moving in. Cpl Jack Crean, who has relocated with his family to a refurbished home at Bassingbourn Barracks, said:
We are really pleased to be in our new home for Christmas. Everyone is a lot happier here, especially Charlie. It’s nice to live in an up-to-date house, it works so much better for the whole family and if I was to go away, I know that my family is in a clean, modern house.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation said the work is part of a wider shift to improve housing standards and service. David Brewer, Chief Operating Officer, said:
I am very proud of the improvements our teams have made to a 1,000 of our worst homes. This is just the start of a generational renewal which will see 9 out of 10 homes improved. We are already seeing the results of the changes we are making through our charter commitments and are determined to do even more to improve the homes and deliver the experience our armed forces deserve.
The refurbishment programme sits alongside other Consumer Charter commitments, including clearer standards, more flexibility for families to personalise homes, and a named Housing Officer for each household. Monthly survey data is already showing rising satisfaction levels among service personnel.
