Military Housing Predicament; Wales’ Stance

On the 6th of December I posted an article on the Military Housing Predicament (see below)  I then asked the Housing Minister for Wales what Wales’ position would be, as housing in Wales is devolved.  I hereby repeat the reply I received.

Your e-mail of 6th December has been passed on to me to reply on behalf of the Minister.

I am able to provide you with text from a recent Ministerial letter which addresses your question.

“The Welsh Government has given its full commitment to delivering “The Nation’s Commitment: Cross-Government Support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans” (the Service Command Paper) issued by the Ministry of Defence in July 2008.

The Service Command Paper sets out a framework of action to remove disadvantage that service personnel may suffer as a result of service in the Armed Forces, particularly as a result of being required to move around the world; and support those existing and former members of the Armed Forces who have been injured in the service of their country.

The Welsh Government believes it is important that service personnel who have been seriously injured or disabled in action and who have an urgent need for social housing should be given priority within local authorities’ allocation schemes in recognition of their service.   This commitment is mirrored in the revised Code of Guidance for Local Authorities on Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness on which we have recently consulted.

Local authorities and housing associations are asked to make service personnel a priority group within shared equity, Low Cost Home Ownership and intermediate housing schemes such as Rent First.  In addition, the Welsh Government would also like to see Social Housing Grant funded Do It Yourself Homebuy targeted at service personnel provided they meet the other eligibility criteria for the scheme.  However, any lump sums paid to eligible members of the armed forces as a result of illness or injury are to be disregarded when assessing eligibility and sustainability.

Local authorities and housing associations should also prioritise (for Low Cost Home Ownership) the partners and ex-partners of service personnel whose housing problems resulted from events linked to service.

In March 2009 the Welsh Assembly Government brought into force s315 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 which required local authorities to consider applicants serving in the armed forces in their area as establishing a local connection from their residence or employment in the same way as a civilian person.

I have funded the development of a web-based resource which provides comprehensive information on services for veterans in each area which can be used to help prevent and alleviate homelessness. This service is operated by Cymorth, and will be updated on an annual basis.

In Wales, funding for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) is not ring-fenced.  Local authorities fund them from their General Capital Funding (GCF) and they already have the freedom to allocate as much of their GCF as they see fit towards DFGs to meet local demand and their statutory duty.

I hope the above information will provide you with some reassurance of my continued commitment to supporting service personnel and their families in providing adequate housing provision. ”

I hope that is helpful

Geoff Marlow

Yr Uned Strategaeth a Gwasanaethau Tai / Housing Strategy and Services
Y Gyfarwyddiaeth Dai / Housing Directorate
Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru / Welsh Assembly Government
Rhydycar
Merthyr Tudful / Merthyr Tydfil

E.bost / E.mail: - Geoff.Marlow@Wales.gsi.gov.uk

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