Get housing help if you’re leaving or have left the armed forces

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.

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.

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. 

Veterans UK

Veterans UK give advice on housing, benefits and welfare. 

You can get help from Veterans UK on GOV.UK.

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.

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 Gateway

Veterans Gateway can give advice on housing, mental wellbeing and finances.