priority housing

Pete268

If former members of the Armed Forces are having difficulty getting social housing (especially if they are disabled and need adapted acommodation) then remind the Housing Association/Council of the requirements of Department of Communities and Local Government, Circular 04/2009 entitled Housing Allocations - Members of the Armed Forces.

The Document can be downloaded here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1200095.pdf

it's well worth a read about the extra prioroties afforded. Some councils may say that the document doesn't exist - if so print it out and hand it to them!.

If the HA/Council refuse to take notice then contact your MP and make a formal complaint to the respective council before then going onto the local government ombudsman (a council will give in before going there!).

Peter

misstasty

herewegoagain2010 wrote: »

Misstasty, I'm soryy I seem to have hit a nerve with you personally.

I'm a forces wife too and have seen so many people plead proverty as soon as they leave the bubble we all live in! My comment regards to people who have been married for several years and p***ed it all up and then wigne and moan because they can't get a social house straight away! Everyone seems to want something for nothing in this life. I think people in the forces deserve higher wages, better allowances and a protected pension. Unfortuntely, at the minute our country is on it's knees and everything is being cut. You can't magic houses out of thin air....I wish you could! It's time that people started to realise that there's no such thing as a free ride. I strongly support our forces, but are they more deserving than the nurses, fireman or police?

Having just come back from an overseas posting myself, I'm talking from my own personal experiences. You could count on one hand the number of families that had a car older than 12months. We've all seen the 'king for a day' spenders in the naafi, loading up their brand new car. I'm not tarring everyone with the same brush, but it's a common sight overseas.

I've moved with my husband and children on every posting (a total of 6 in 7years) have moved length of breadth of the Uk and overseas. It has made it very difficult for me to maintain my career and I have had to sacrifice it. Credit ratings aren't effected by the amount of houses you live in. It just means you have to add extra pages for addresses on your applications. It annoys me when people use the 'forces' card when it suits, but the fact is the higher ranks are paid more than the UK average, combined with cheaper than average rents and it's not a bad deal in this current economic climate.

My hubby and I have scrimped and saved and got on the property ladder and this does effect the amount of 'family' money available. I know it's tough now, but it'll be worth it in the long run. Security for my children and our future is under that roof, so we may go without expensive days out and takeaways that most people take for granted, but that's our choice. It's all about choices and people fall into 2 catergies - people who save and people who don't!

I wasn't offended personally, it was more the sweeping slur I felt for alot of forces families. My husband is what you would class as lower ranking, and I have also been on every posting he has had for the last 15 years!! 7 of which were abroad in various locations I took jobs where I could get them but as you well know its hard to maintain employment within some garrisons if you are not there very long. With regards to those who can save and those who can't we all have our own personal circumstances that make it difficult ( ex wives, other children to send money to each month) So we never had the expensive days out or new car, nor did we P*** our wages away. I was mearly pointing out that its not as simple as falling into 2 catergories....some people through no fault of their own cannot get on the property ladder and therefore fair treatment for social housing when and if its needed for those returning to civvy street is an absolute must!! Its not pleading the forces card...sometimes its just life. The fact here is everyones circumstances are different and we should think before we rant,

herewegoagain2010

misstasty wrote: »

The fact here is everyones circumstances are different and we should think before we rant,

I'm sure that's what I said in post 2 "I know everyone's circumstances are different......"

spike7451

Pete268 wrote: »

If former members of the Armed Forces are having difficulty getting social housing (especially if they are disabled and need adapted acommodation) then remind the Housing Association/Council of the requirements of Department of Communities and Local Government, Circular 04/2009 entitled Housing Allocations - Members of the Armed Forces.

The Document can be downloaded here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1200095.pdf

it's well worth a read about the extra prioroties afforded. Some councils may say that the document doesn't exist - if so print it out and hand it to them!.

If the HA/Council refuse to take notice then contact your MP and make a formal complaint to the respective council before then going onto the local government ombudsman (a council will give in before going there!).

Peter

I know it's historic & all that but I also feel I was failed by the forces when I left.I had a one day 'resettlement' course about 6 weeks before I left,was given a few leaflets & that was it (I was in Germany at the time)
I got no help with regards to housing,benefits ect & had to find my own way in a world that was alien to me (still is!) as I joined up in 84 at 17.I had no 'retraining' courses & went thru a few 'dead end' jobs before going to work for CableTel in 88.A friend of mine (ex Col Sgt) has been campaigning for changes in the housing law;
http://onecommoncause.co.uk/tag/discharge-numbers

misstasty

herewegoagain2010 wrote: »

I'm sure that's what I said in post 2 "I know everyone's circumstances are different......"

You may have said that but you still went on the rant about how some people in the army in your opinion spend too much and don't save....we do not know everyone's financial situations. saying that you are annoyed that people should get help to get housing when they leave the forces is a tad harsh....

misstasty

spike7451 wrote: »

I know it's historic & all that but I also feel I was failed by the forces when I left.I had a one day 'resettlement' course about 6 weeks before I left,was given a few leaflets & that was it (I was in Germany at the time)
I got no help with regards to housing,benefits ect & had to find my own way in a world that was alien to me (still is!) as I joined up in 84 at 17.I had no 'retraining' courses & went thru a few 'dead end' jobs before going to work for CableTel in 88.A friend of mine (ex Col Sgt) has been campaigning for changes in the housing law;
http://onecommoncause.co.uk/tag/discharge-numbers

Thanks Spike. Will have a look at the link.:) Sorry to hear you were messed about with your resettlement, these days I think it has improved....will tell you in a few months when my husband has done his...(he is in final year and apparently due loads of resettlement, but up to date has had one afternoon ) It is a scarey old world out there which is why I think all those returning to civvy street need as much help as we can get

smellyted

hi all,
I have been reading with interest misstasy and herewegoagain2010 posts. As the serving member in our marriage and a home owner I can agree with both of your points.
We are posted abroad at the moment whilst our house is left empty in the UK since we have no family locally to keep an eye on it. The thing that REALLY grips me is having to run 2 households. At my own home address I pay:
Mortgage
buildings insurance
council tax (50% reduction but STILL expensive)

In quarters abroad I pay:
CILCOT
housing rent
car port rent
contents insurance

Taking in to effect that LOA has also just dropped dramatically...it is a struggle to own and pay for a home whilst deployed and the only real incentive to own your own house must be taken in the early years of your career when all you want to do is p### your wage up against a wall !

I personally dont see any benefits of owning our own home at the moment because my wage simply gets swallowed up with all the bills and we are left worrying how the house is. One of the plus sides is that when we do get back to the UK....we can do what we want to the house rather than get permission to knock a nail in !!!
regards.

Pete268

Communities & Local Government - 20/05/11

Housing Minister Grant Shapps makes housing our heroes a priority:

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has said that members of the Armed Forces will, from now on, be given top priority for housing help.

The dramatic move comes following a Military Covenant Housing Summit chaired by the Housing Minister on Monday and means that serving members of the Armed Forces, as well as those recently retired, will be able to benefit from a £400 million nationwide scheme aimed at helping 10,000 families buy a new home.

The Minister has also signalled that the Government will go even further by ensuring that all Low Cost Home Ownership schemes will now routinely place members of the Armed Forces at the top of their priority lists. And that Government housing agents will be instructed to go out and actively recruit military personnel for such schemes.

The news comes in addition to work between the Government, credit agencies and Royal Mail to ensure that those living on a base or serving abroad are not disadvantaged when applying for a mortgage.

Read the full text here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/1908030

Peter

misstasty

Pete268 wrote: »

Communities & Local Government - 20/05/11

Housing Minister Grant Shapps makes housing our heroes a priority:

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has said that members of the Armed Forces will, from now on, be given top priority for housing help.

The dramatic move comes following a Military Covenant Housing Summit chaired by the Housing Minister on Monday and means that serving members of the Armed Forces, as well as those recently retired, will be able to benefit from a £400 million nationwide scheme aimed at helping 10,000 families buy a new home.


The Minister has also signalled that the Government will go even further by ensuring that all Low Cost Home Ownership schemes will now routinely place members of the Armed Forces at the top of their priority lists. And that Government housing agents will be instructed to go out and actively recruit military personnel for such schemes.

The news comes in addition to work between the Government, credit agencies and Royal Mail to ensure that those living on a base or serving abroad are not disadvantaged when applying for a mortgage.

Read the full text here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/1908030

Peter

Thank you Peter thats fantastic news...I must go do some digging to see how we can start the ball rolling with this one...looking promising at last whoo hoo!! :T

*pinkpanther*

herewegoagain2010 wrote: »

I presume you're talking about social housing when you leave the service? I think it's a great idea in principle, but in reality they can't magic a house for someone if it's not there.

I know everyone's circumstances are different, but it does annoy me when people have been leaving toegther as man and wife for numerous years, enjoying overseas postings etc, new cars holidays and the high life and have managed to blow the lot and still expect a house at the end of it. You are serving queen and country but the higher ranks are paid more than average in wages, so why not save a little for your future housing needs. I've got a feeling I may have just prodded a hornet's nest, but that's just my opinion!

Couldnt agree more. For the hours they can put in its generally a rubbish wage but alot higher than most civi jobs would pay.

If you leave the forces by choice, it doesnt exactly sneak up on you, you have the time before you actually decide to get out and the time your termination is in.
I dont understand why some people expect a new life on civi street handed to them on a plate but make no effort to make one for themselfs.
Like you I agree when it comes to couples, some have the opportunity to be sitting pretty after years of low rent, gathering cleaning tips and planning a few years ahead so DA is all pocketed. How can some be so unprepared and act like they are owed something for their troubles.....No, thats what your wages are for!

Heres hoping the scheme is used for those who can actually benefit from it and not those who just expect it.