Veterans of the UK Armed Forces will soon have improved access to social housing, thanks to new government measures. The government is exempting veterans from ‘local connection’ requirements, which previously restricted access to social housing for those without an existing link to the area. This change forms part of a wider commitment to better support Armed Forces communities, ensuring veterans can access the housing assistance they need.
Currently, most councils (89%) have local connection or residency tests in place to determine eligibility for social housing. While these tests are not mandatory, they can create barriers for veterans who have no long-standing connection to a particular area. The new policy ensures veterans are not disadvantaged by these requirements.
Other vulnerable groups, including care leavers under 25 and victims of domestic abuse, will also be exempt from the local connection rules. This follows the government’s recent consultation on social housing allocations and is aimed at helping those most in need.
The government is writing to councils today, reminding them to prioritise veterans, care leavers, and domestic abuse survivors for social housing. In the coming months, regulations will be introduced, with further discussions involving local authorities and housing experts to finalise the details.
In addition to these changes, the government has already introduced measures to give councils more flexibility in using Right to Buy receipts, enabling them to build and purchase more social homes. An additional £450 million has also been allocated to help councils secure homes for families at risk of homelessness.
Looking ahead, more details will be shared at the next fiscal event, with plans to give councils and housing associations the stability they need to invest in both new and existing housing stock.
For more information on the government’s plans for affordable housing, visit Gov.uk or read about the recent social housing consultation here.