Ex-Armed Forces Homelessness Advice

If you are homeless/threatened with homelessness, and are leaving the armed forces, or were formerly a member, then you may qualify for help. We will consider if we can help you using both general rules that apply to everyone and special rules that apply to people who were in the forces.

The first step is for you to call or visit us to discuss your situation. You may then be invited to an appointment with a Housing Casework Officer to determine what help the Council can provide, including whether you will qualify for emergency accommodation. As part of this, we will complete a Full Housing and Support Needs Assessment. This assessment will support the development of your Personalised Housing Plan (PHP).

To help support your case, you may need to provide medical evidence. The Housing Casework Officer will discuss this with you, and any other relevant information required, at your appointment.

Priority status – these are the special rules that apply to those that were in the forces 

The following categories of applicants will be afforded a priority status for accommodation on Nottingham HomeLink if they have left the Armed Forces within the last 5 years:

• a serving member of the regular forces suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to your service
• a former member of the regular forces
• an existing or former member of the reserve forces suffering from a serious injury, illness, or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to your service
• a bereaved spouse or civil partner of those serving in the regular forces who has recently ceased or will soon cease to be entitled to reside in Ministry of Defence accommodation following the death of their service spouse or civil partner, where the death was wholly or partly attributable to their service

An applicant does not need to meet the Local Connection Requirements to join HomeLink if they are a: 

• person who is serving in the regular forces or has done so in the five years preceding their application for housing;
• bereaved spouse or civil partner of someone serving in the regular forces where their spouse or partner’s death is attributable (wholly or partly) to their service and their entitlement to reside in Ministry of Defence accommodation then ceases;
• seriously injured, ill or disabled reservist (or former reservist) whose injury, illness or disability is attributable wholly or partly to their service

Support services for Ex-Forces threatened with homelessness

• Veterans UK - GOV.UK – Provides immediate practical support to all former UK servicemen and women who are homeless, facing homelessness or in crisis. (Tel: 08081914218)
• Royal British Legion | Armed Forces Charity – Provide vital support for members of the armed forces community and their families. They may also be able to support with rent and deposit (Tel: 0808 8028080)
• SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity – Provide housing advice to ex and current service personnel (Tel: 0800 7314880)
• Citizens Advice – Offer a wide variety of advice for ex-service personnel including housing advice and financial assistance (Tel: 0344 4111 444)

If you are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, please call Housing Solutions on 0115 876 3300 for advice. If you are homeless and the Council offices are closed, then you can contact the homelessness out of hours service on 0115 876 3300.

Further Support

For further information for armed forces personnel please visit the Nottingham City Council Armed Forces Hub:

Armed Force Hub - Nottingham City Council