Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what precise measures have been developed by the armed services to ensure that those leaving service have adequate accommodation and avoid rough sleeping after discharge.

All Service leavers are provided with information on sources of housing help in their leaving information packs which are issued before discharge. The Joint Services Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) provides a dedicated focal point within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for housing ​information and advice for those about to return to civilian life. The JSHAO gives regular nationwide briefings advising Service personnel of their housing options.

In 2012, the Government changed the law so that serving personnel suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability attributable to their service, and former Service personnel with urgent housing needs, are always given high priority for social housing. The Government has issued guidance strongly encouraging councils to prioritise all members of the Armed Forces and their families for social housing. This is statutory guidance to which councils must pay regard and is published at:

www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/allocationaccommodationguide

The MOD is developing a new tri-Service policy to provide more comprehensive support to Service personnel and their families as they transition out of the Armed Forces to civilian life. This will include advice and support on housing matters. The MOD will also be covered by the new Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) led statutory requirement scheduled to come into effect this autumn to refer those Service personnel at risk of homelessness when they leave the Armed Forces to the relevant local authority. The MHCLG has also extended the period within which veterans are given priority for Government funded shared ownership schemes, from 12 to 24 months after service. Support is also available from Veterans UK who operate a Freephone helpline (0808 1914218), and the Veterans Welfare Service. The Veterans Gateway can also signpost individuals to the organisation best placed to support, making it easier for veterans to access advice on a range of issues, including housing.

The cross-Government Rough Sleeping Strategy is focused on achieving a commitment to halve rough sleeping by 2022 and end it by 2027.