History
In the early 1990s, the MOD established a Scheme to re-house Service Leavers through nomination rights originally acquired when surplus MOD properties were sold to Housing Associations. However, because these rights have now ended, the Scheme is wholly dependent on the goodwill of Housing Associations, whose properties are not specifically intended for, nor do they belong to, the JSHAO. The Scheme is reliant on Housing Associations requesting referrals for vacant properties but applicants may also be referred to Housing Association waiting lists through this Scheme.
The Advantages
Unlike Local Authority policies, the Scheme is beneficial because it does not demand that you have a local connection with the area for which you are applying. You may apply for a (reasonable) number of areas by listing the locations or counties where you would like to live. A member of the team will then get in contact to discuss the options available in those areas. You are not restricted by where you now live, where your family live, or where you will work, so the Scheme is particularly beneficial for those struggling with the local connection policy.
Single Service Leavers and couples without children may also find it difficult to access housing provided by the Council. On the MOD Referral Scheme, singles and couples are just as likely to be housed as families because applicants are chosen by their suitability for the type of property offered by the Housing Association. The JSHAO and the MOD Referral Scheme have no housing stock, no internal connections with Local Authorities and unfortunately there is no guarantee that applicants will be housed through the Scheme. We cannot estimate how many offers we might receive, when we will receive them or where the properties will be located. This means that while nothing may be available suitable to your needs or in your area of choice, it is equally possible that, for example, a number of one bed flats may become available which would only be suitable for singles or couples.
Furthermore, Housing Associations do not require deposits and, although rents are slightly higher than Council rents, they are considerably lower than private rentals. Furthermore, most Associations grant Assured Tenancies, allowing tenants to remain in the property as long as they wish, provided they adhere to the terms of their tenancy agreement.
Nevertheless, all applicants are strongly advised to contact their Local Authority and consider alternative housing options, in addition to applying for the Scheme, in order to maximise the chances of being housed. The Scheme attempts to provide another route into Social Housing, not replace such actions as directly contacting Local Authorities.
Service Leavers with families and separated spouses with children may also wish to contact the Services Cotswold Centre, which offers temporary accommodation. Information, advice and hostel accommodation is also available from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help. Single Service Leavers should contact SPACES (Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services), who may also be able to help. Details for these Associations can be found on our website.
Additionally, for those who would benefit from adapted and sheltered (both supported and unsupported) accommodation, this type of housing is accessible through the Scheme. Please contact the Scheme Coordinator for more information.
We will also, where applicable, direct you to Choice Based Lettings (CBL) Schemes operating in your specified areas. So, even if a Housing Association is not participating in the MOD Referral Scheme, they may form part of a Common Housing Register for an area or county. This also means that applicants requesting areas not covered by those Housing Associations that offer referrals or hold their own waiting lists, may be successful through CBL. If applicable, further information will be provided with your letter of acknowledgment.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the MOD Referral Scheme, applicants must be Armed Forces personnel within six months of their discharge date and currently occupying Service Accommodation. Applications for the Scheme can be accepted from Service Leavers, married or single, and from Separated spouses living in married quarters or hostel accommodation provided by SSAFA Forces Help and the Services Cotswold Centre. It is important to note that while personnel in Single Living Accommodation (SLA) are eligible until six months post-exit date, those in Service Families Accommodation (SFA) are eligible until they leave that Service property.
Please do not apply if you are Ex-Service or Single and beyond the six months after your exit date. If you own or part-own a property or are privately renting, you will not be considered for housing through the Scheme. Similarly, if you have sufficient capital to buy a property you are unlikely to be housed. Pensions and expected gratuities will also be taken into account when processing your application.
The Application and Referral Process
If you are eligible, you will need to complete an application form. This form can be downloaded from the MOD Referral Key Documents section on the right-hand side of this page. You will need to print this form and send it to our office as your signature is required.
You need to include evidence of the date on which you are required to leave your Service Accommodation:
SFA occupants – a copy of my ‘Notice to Vacate’ or ‘Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy’ (provided by Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) within six months of discharge)
Or
SLA occupants – a copy of my MOD Form 1166 (available from Unit Admin Office)
Or
Overseas applicants – a copy of my ‘Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy’ (available from the Station Staff Officer)
Or
Applicants following marital separation – a copy of my ‘Notice to Vacate’ or ‘Certificate of Cessation of Right to Occupy’ (provided by DIO at the start of the 93 day notice period)
Your application will be acknowledged in writing and you will be added to our database for consideration when properties are offered to us.
We assess each property offer by its appropriate allocation to a certain family size and we consider applicants who have that location as an area of choice. Applicants are then placed by priority, starting with Medical discharges, followed by normal Service Leavers, Non-extenders and PVRs, then irregular occupants and separated spouses. We then contact the most eligible and highly prioritised applicant and forward their details to the Housing Association.
Please be aware that applicants are restricted to ONE offer through the scheme.
All completed application forms should be returned to:
MOD Referrals, JSHAO, Building 183, Trenchard Lines,
Upavon, Wiltshire, SN9 6BE.
Tel: 01980 618219 Mil: 94344 8219
Fax: 01980 618068 Mil: 94344 8068