MOD launches a new Defence Accommodation Strategy

MOD has launched a new Defence Accommodation Strategy, starting from 31 October 2023. Those in established long-term relationships will be entitled to SFA, and SFA will be allocated to the needs of Serving personnel and their families, not rank.

The Strategy sets out the vision for Defence accommodation, underpinned by 4 principles and 11 objectives. To deliver these objectives, the top-level budget holders (TLBs) will produce delivery plans setting their own targets and key performance indicators (KPIs). The Chief of Defence People (CDP) will act as Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) holding these TLBs to account.

The Strategy identifies and explains key issues to address ahead of its next iteration, which will follow the completion of the Haythornthwaite Review of Armed Forces Incentivisation.

What this Strategy does:

Reaffirms Defence’s commitment to support its personnel with subsidised housing and help to buy a property of their own.

Commits to offering Service personnel in long-term relationships the same accommodation support as those who are married or in civil partnerships.

States that, in the future, the level of accommodation entitlement will be based primarily on need, and that seniority of rank will no longer routinely play a role in allocation of housing.

Sets a new minimum standard for Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and a roadmap for rolling it out across Defence.

Commits to increasing engagement with our Service personnel to ensure Defence’s housing and accommodation offer meets modern expectations around living standards.

Acknowledges that Defence’s accommodation estate is larger than it needs to be and commits to reducing excess stock.

Recognises the challenges of imperfect baseline data and commits to improving this before the next iteration of the Defence Accommodation Strategy.

Commits to the Defence accommodation portfolio becoming more sustainable in the future.

States Defence’s intention to help Service personnel to contribute to an improvement in our sustainability by maximising their own sustainable behaviours.

The full policy paper can be access here.