Traumatised veterans to get housing priority

ARMED FORCES personnel and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues are to be given priority for social housing under new Government proposals.

The measures, which are being put out for consultation by Housing Secretary James Brokenshire, would ensure that current and former troops suffering from mental ill-health get the same priority treatment as those with physical problems.

Changes could also be introduced to make it easier for partners of armed forces personnel to find social housing if they divorce or separate. An overhaul of the system will ensure that all applicants for social housing are asked if they have served in the military in order to make sure veterans get the help they are entitled to.

Mr Brokenshire said: “We have a duty to ensure our heroic military personnel get the support they need when applying for a social home. We want to see that applying for social property should not be a challenge in the transition from military service to civilian life.

“These new measures are part of our continuing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.”

Under current rules, people who split from forces partners are made to move out of military accommodation and can be denied social housing because they have “not been resident in the area for long enough”.

In some cases – particularly those involving domestic abuse – they may be unwilling to remain in the area where their military partner is stationed. The Government is now consulting on possible new guidance encouraging councils to waive residency rules.