Introduction to the Joint Service Housing Advice Office Handout (updated April 2020)
Updated 16 September 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-service-housing-advice-office-leaflet-index/introduction-to-the-joint-service-housing-advice-office-handout-updated-22-april-2020
- Serial No: JSHAO/00
- Date: March 2020
- Review Date: April 2021
What is the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO)?
The JSHAO provides specific housing information to encourage Service personnel and their families to consider their civilian housing options at any point in their career.
Established in 1992, at a time when both a surplus MoD married quarter programme and staff redundancy programme were underway. It was recognised that many personnel were leaving the Services with little or no understanding of the civilian housing options available to them and the differing financial implications when occupying civilian housing compared to Service accommodation. Many personnel were leaving the Service and being declared homeless. There is a misconception that this issue only affected those who ended up as rough sleepers but, in truth, personnel with 20 to 30 years’ experience, including those with young families, were approaching the end of their Service with no clear idea of their future housing plans.
Since its inception the JSHAO has provided civilian housing information to thousands of personnel. Although a lot of the work undertaken is directed at those approaching the end of their Service, it is acknowledged that an earlier intervention may reduce the numbers of personnel still occupying Service accommodation as they approach their discharge date. Whilst the JSHAO will always offer advice to those personnel leaving the Service we also recognise the need to deliver civilian housing advice much earlier and throughout an individual’s Service career. This through career information will mean that, regardless of the point at which they decide to make the transition from Service to civilian accommodation, individuals will have the background knowledge that will allow them to make informed decisions and choice as well as having the JSHAO on hand to offer further information if required.
We hope that this handout will serve as a reminder of the services provided by the JSHAO. It may be that you do not have an immediate civilian housing need, however, the peculiarities of Service life make it difficult to know what is around the corner. If you, or any of your friends, colleagues, or subordinates find that you subsequently need to look at that transition to civilian housing it is important that you are aware of whom the JSHAO are, and what the team can do to help.
Housing Briefings
JSHAO deliver over 70 Civilian Housing Briefings at various military locations in the UK and utilise Education Centres in Germany, and Cyprus each year. These briefs are designed to give you the information to help you make informed choices on your civilian housing. The briefings cover the following areas:
- understanding your housing need
- house purchase (including Forces Help to Buy)
- private rental
- affordable home ownership schemes
- social housing
- independent financial advice
These briefings are predominantly attended by personnel in the last 2 years of Service. However, it is recognised that the information available at these briefings will be of use to anyone considering their civilian housing options. Therefore, any Service personnel can attend. Spouses/Partners are also welcome at these briefings. The dates of the briefings are widely advertised on Units and details are available from Unit Welfare staff, Defence Connect, www.gov.uk or by contacting the JSHAO.
In addition to these individual briefings the team deliver briefs to Unit Welfare or Community Support staff in order to raise awareness of support available from the JSHAO.
The MoD Referral Scheme
This scheme is managed by the JSHAO.
One of the many options available to Service leavers is the MoD Referral Scheme, which was setup to assist those discharging from the Armed Forces who could not afford to get on the property ladder and were envisaging having to rent via their local authority. Through this scheme, some housing associations support those who would otherwise have problems being prioritised high enough to have a realistic chance of being housed by local authorities.
Applicants must be Armed Forces personnel or spouse, within six months of their discharge date and currently occupying Service accommodation, the Services Cotswold Centre or temporary accommodation. Applications for the scheme can be accepted from married or single personnel. Separated spouses who are living in Service Families accommodation (SFA) may also apply. Single personnel are eligible until 6 months post date. Personnel in SFA are eligible until they leave the Service accommodation.
The JSHAO is reliant on the Housing Associations notifying of a potential vacant property and therefore cannot guarantee that all applicants will be housed through the scheme. JSHAO are also unable to estimate how many properties they will be offered, when they will be offered or where they will be located. However a great example where this has worked well is in housing over 50 service veterans at the Olympic Village, Stratford, London.
Home Matters Magazine
Previously known as Housing Matters, the JSHAO re-branded its quarterly publication to Home Matters. This has a worldwide distribution of 10,000 copies per issue and is also available in electronic. The magazine contains information and articles designed to help you when you are considering your civilian housing options. Copies should be easily available from various locations within your Unit, HIVES and Education Centres. The magazine is also held as e-copies on GOV.UK’s Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) page dated back to January 2010 or via Defence Connect.
Single Person Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services – SPACES
SPACES is managed by Riverside, a registered provider of social housing nationwide, and has close links with JSHAO. It is designed to help single ex-regulars find appropriate accommodation when they leave the Services. Through this service the project reduces the likelihood of ex-service personnel becoming homeless or sleeping rough after discharge.
SPACES is a project-based team of staff within The Beacon at Catterick, North Yorkshire. It provides an accommodation placement service for single personnel being discharged from all three services.
Mike Jackson House in Aldershot offers secure short-term supported accommodation primarily for single service leavers, as well as veterans - it provides help to those who need it. This can include help with the skills required for independent living, finding somewhere permanent to live, or help finding a job. Access to this facility is via SPACES.
SPACES Contact Details: The Beacon, SPACES Office, Marne Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 3AU
Tel: 01748 833797 or 830191
Email: spaces@riverside.org.uk