Few local authorities prioritise Armed Forces personnel when allocating affordable housing, but South Gloucestershire Council has now launched a consultation on changes to its policy, including making it easier for Armed Forces personnel to access a home.
The consultation has been welcomed by campaigner Ben Stokes, who was elected last year onto South Gloucestershire Council as Conservative councillor for Boyd Valley. He previously served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards of the British Army, who are currently on tour in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
Ben reached the rank of Captain and his Regiment’s tours of duty included Bosnia and Northern Ireland.
Cllr Stokes, who has campaigned in support of ‘Homes for Heroes’, said:
“I am delighted that the Council has included this change as part of its proposed housing policy overhaul because we need to make sure that our heroes and their families are properly housed.
Having served alongside many of the courageous service men and women in the British Armed Forces, it’s a scandal that so many of them return home and struggle to access basic public services, like housing.
The regiment I had the privilege of serving in are fighting currently in Afghanistan – they shouldn’t be fighting the Taliban one moment, only to return home and have to fight to get a roof over their heads the next.
These brave men and women are sent out to possibly make the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.
When they return injured or permanently traumatised, I can’t tell them to get to the back of the queue on the housing register. This would deny them the very basic level of appreciation they deserve.
That’s why the Council’s positive movement on this issue is so welcome.”
Cllr Matthew Riddle (Con, Severn), the Council’s Conservative Cabinet Member for Community Care & Housing, added:
“As part of this consultation, we are proposing that Armed Forces personnel leaving the services with no accommodation to go to should be considered to be the highest priority for re-housing.
We are encouraging people to let us know their views on this proposal and the detail that sits behind it.”
The consultation runs until 28th February 2012 and further information can be found on the Council’s website www.southglos.gov.