Get housing help if you’re leaving or have left the armed forces
This advice applies to Wales. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Scotland
You might be able to get help with housing if you:
are leaving the armed forces
have left the armed forces - this means you’re a ‘veteran’
Help you can get with housing before you leave the services
If you’re leaving the armed forces you have the right to get help with finding somewhere to live.
You can find out more about civilian housing on GOV.UK.
Help you can get if you're a homeless veteran
It’s usually worth applying to your local council for help if you're homeless - or if you’ll be homeless soon.
You should tell the council:
that you’re leaving or have left the armed forces
if you have a disability or mental health condition because of your time in the armed forces
Check if you can get homeless help from the council.
You can get a referral to a service that supports veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The service is called Op FORTITUDE.
You can refer yourself, or get a referral from:
a member of the public
homelessness or veteran charities
your local council
prison and probation services
Defence Transition Services (DTS)
Op FORTITUDE will assess:
your immediate safety
your current housing situation and location
your housing needs - for example adaptations, size of property and location
They'll also assess if you need help with things like setting up utilities, budgeting and help claiming benefits.
Op FORTITUDE will match you with supported housing or help you stay in your current housing. Supported housing is accommodation where residents get support, supervision or care. It aims to help people live as independently as possible.
Op FORTITUDE can also make referrals to veteran charities for other forms of support.
Op FORTITUDE
Telephone: 0800 952 0774
Calls to this number are free from mobiles and landlines.
You can also fill in the Op FORTITUDE referral form on their website.
You can also check your other options if you need to find somewhere to live.
If you're a disabled veteran
If you need everyday help, or help with things like adaptations to your home, you should ask your local council.
You can also find out about mobility aids and equipment grants on the Royal British Legion website.
Applying for accessible social housing
You can apply to your local council for accessible social housing. Your local council might have a waiting list called an 'accessible housing register' you can join.
Accessible homes might have things like:
step-free access
a stair lift
wider door frames
lower worktops in the kitchen
You can apply to join an accessible housing register anywhere in the country. You can also register in more than one area.
If your local council doesn’t have an accessible housing register, they should still have accessible homes.
Care homes for veterans
There are a number of care homes available just for older and disabled veterans.
You can find out more about care homes for veterans on the Royal British Legion website.
Royal British Legion helpline
Telephone: 0808 802 8080
Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm
Calls are free.
Extra housing help for veterans
You might be able to get help or advice on housing from different services in the UK.
Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant provides support to service personnel, veterans and their families. The Covenant campaigns for fair access to government and commercial services such as healthcare and education. Find out more about the Covenant on their website.
Seafarers' Advice & Information Line (SAIL)
SAIL is a UK-wide Citizens Advice service dedicated to serving and veteran Royal Navy personnel and their families. They offer free housing advice and support.
Seafarers' Advice & Information Line (SAIL)
Telephone: 0800 160 1842
Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
Calls are free.
You can find out more on the SAIL website.
Veterans UK
Veterans UK give advice on housing, benefits and welfare.
You can get help from Veterans UK on GOV.UK.
Veterans UK
Telephone: 0808 1914 218
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Calls are free.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association
If you are serving in the armed forces, a veteran or the dependant of those serving and veterans.
You can get free housing advice from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) website.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)
Telephone: 0800 260 6767
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Calls are free.
Email: housing@ssafa.org.uk
Veterans Aid
If you are homeless, or are likely to become homeless, you can get help from Veterans Aid.
They can provide direct and immediate help to vulnerable veterans with finding hostel accommodation.
Veterans Aid
Telephone: 0800 012 6867
Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm
Calls are free.
Veterans Gateway
Veterans Gateway can give advice on housing, mental wellbeing and finances.
Veterans Gateway
Telephone: 0808 802 1212
Monday to Sunday at any time.
Calls are free.
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