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<p>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.</p><p> </p><p>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:</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/allocationaccommodationguide"
target="_blank">www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/allocationaccommodationguide</a></p><p>
</p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p>The cross-Government Rough Sleeping Strategy is focused on
achieving a commitment to halve rough sleeping by 2022 and end it by 2027.</p>
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