Where to get help with housing as a veteran
Support and advice for homeless veterans and where to get help with finding accommodation.
Help for veterans and service leavers facing homelessness
In addition to general services available to people who are homeless, some services provide housing advice and support specifically to veterans and service leavers who are at risk of homelessness.
Most services also offer support to the families of veterans, including widows, widowers and separated partners.
Defence Transition Services
Defence Transition Services (DTS) provides advice and information to service personnel who are leaving the armed forces and might need additional assistance. This service was previously delivered by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office.
DTS can help with a range of issues relating to leaving service, including advice on housing. DTS run regular briefings on civilian housing to share information about the housing options which may be available to service leavers.
Support for veterans and their families
Gov.uk's Support for veterans and their families has a directory of organisations who offer information and support for veterans.
The Veterans' Gateway helpline can provide information and referral support over the phone with issues such as employment, finances, mental and physical health, homelessness and housing issues.
Op Fortitude
Op Fortitude is a centralised pathway for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The service offers support such as help to sustain a tenancy or referrals into supported housing. The support provided is based on an assessment of the veteran's needs.
Referrals can be made online or by phone.
Referrals can be made by members of the public, the veteran themselves or by agencies including:
homelessness charities
veteran charities
local authorities
probation services
Defence Transition Service (DTS)
Help for veterans and service leavers to find accommodation
There are a number of services which aim to help veterans and service leavers to access longer term housing options, such as social housing or home ownership.
STOLL
STOLL provides supported housing to vulnerable veterans, in particular those who have support needs due to physical disability, mental health issues, substance misuse, homelessness or ongoing health conditions.
Widows and widowers of veterans with a support need are also eligible to apply for housing.
Veterans' Nomination Scheme for social housing
The Veterans' Nomination Scheme is run by STOLL and aims to match veterans with suitable social housing properties, by partnering with social landlords. The scheme primarily has access to one-bedroom flats and studio properties for single people and couples without children, who may otherwise struggle to access social housing.
Certain organisations which work with veterans can make referrals to the scheme. Applicants are added to a waiting list and can then bid or be nominated for available properties. The scheme covers the whole of England.
Haig Housing Trust
Haig Housing Trust is a housing provider for ex-Service personnel in the UK with over 1,500 properties. The Trust assists eligible Veterans in housing need.
Properties are located across the UK in over 50 locations and available to qualifying beneficiaries at an affordable, charitable rent. Haig Housing also offer advice, guidance and signposting to other veterans charities and organisations to assist those in housing need.
The Trust also provides some joint purchase properties for severely wounded or injured or service personnel and veterans. Any property will be jointly owned with Haig Housing Trust. This scheme enables the purchase of a home in a suitable location close to family, friends and support network.
Forces Help to Buy
Forces Help to Buy is a scheme which allows service personnel to borrow up to 50% of their salary towards the purchase of a property.
The maximum which can be borrowed under the scheme is £25,000 and the loan is interest free.
First Homes Scheme
The First Homes Scheme enables certain first-time buyers to buy a property for 30-50% less than the market value. The scheme is open to first-time buyers over the age of 18, who are able to get a mortgage for at least half the price of the home and have a household income which is under £80,000 (£90,000 in London).
There are usually other requirements regarding living in the area or being an essential worke, but certain groups are exempt from these requirements, including:
members of the armed forces
divorced or separated spouses or civil partners of a member of the armed forces
widows or widowers of a deceased member of the armed forces (if their death was caused wholly or partly by their service)
veterans who left the armed forces in the last 5 years
General support for veterans and service personnel
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion (RBL) supports serving and ex-service personnel from all armed forces, and their families.
RBL provides advice to veterans on housing, employment and financial issues, as well as support with physical and mental wellbeing. Support can be accessed via phone or online chat.
SSAFA
SSAFA provides practical, emotional, and financial support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.
SSAFA runs Forcesline which is a free and confidential telephone helpline and live chat for members of the Armed Forces, veterans or family members in need. Forcesline is independent from the chain of command.
RAF Benevolent Fund
The RAF Benevolent Fund provides life-long support to serving and ex-serving RAF personnel and their families. Eligible applicants can apply to the fund for financial grants and assistance.
Army Families Federation
The Army Families Federation offers confidential advice to army families and is independent of the armed forces.
AFF has guidance for common housing queries relevant to army families.
The Naval Families Federation
The Naval Families Federation offers support and advice to current members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and their families.
NFF has guidance for common housing queries relevant to naval families.
RAF Families Federation
The RAF Families Federation offers practical support to current members of the Royal Air Force and their families.
The RAF Families Federation has guidance for common housing queries relevant to RAF families.
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) supports sailors, marines and their families for life.
The RNRMC has an in-house transition support service to help involuntary service leavers with any issues they may face, including housing, when leaving the Royal Navy or Royal Marines unexpectedly for whatever reason.
COBSEO
COBSEO is the confederation of service charities. The housing cluster of COBSEO includes the main providers of general needs and supported housing for the ex-Service community in its Directory of Dedicated Services for Veterans.
These organisations provide a range of:
supported accommodation
general needs housing
sheltered housing
floating and outreach support
day centres
placement services
The Directory lists these organisations, where in the UK they operate, support provided, application criteria and contact details.
Last updated: 14 October 2024