MP Rishi Sunak says he is backing the launch of the Homes for Heroes Foundation.
The foundation aims to make sure that servicemen and women leaving the forces do not face an uphill battle to find a home for themselves and their families.
Sunak said that veterans faced a number of challenges when finding a home after leaving the services. Under the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly – that needed to change, he added.
The difficulties veterans might face include physical injuries, poor mental health and the inability to put down roots while serving abroad. Local authorities often apply a “local connections” test to social housing applications. Mortgage lenders and credit references often don’t recognise Armed Forces PO Box numbers.
In a posting on his blog, Mr Sunak said the foundation aimed to work with housebuilders, key figures in the military, local authorities and the financial services industry to make sure that the UK offered the finest package for returning armed forces of any country in the world.
“The Armed Forces Covenant has made great progress in addressing the disadvantages that the armed forces community often faces but the Covenant is not always properly applied when it comes to housing,” Mr Sunak said.
“At Catterick we have recently seen great improvements in the accommodation provided for serving personnel and their familes,” he added.
“We now want to make sure their housing needs after leaving the service of Queen and Country are met.”
You can read the full statement here.
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