I am leaving the armed forces / a veteran, what are my/ my family’s housing options?

Staying with family / friends

Returning to family or friends home can be suitable short-term housing solution as it allows you more time to find your own accommodation.

Private renting

• You can look for private rented accommodation. This route will give you the option to look for a home in an area of choice and the type of property you choose.
• You can secure a tenancy if you have savings or friends/family who can lend you money
• You can apply for Housing Benefit
• You can speak to the Council for further advice on 01737 276 790
• You can use the internet to search for private rented accommodation via search engines such as Google or other websites such as RightMove, Zoopla or Gumtree.

Supported housing

• Supported housing offers specialist support to address a tenant’s specific issues and individual needs and individual needs. They can help you with living independently and help you integrate back into the community. To be considered for supported housing, you generally need to be referred which can be done through a support worker or through the Council.

Housing Register

• To join the Housing Register, applicants must have a local connection to Reigate and Banstead. Discretion can be granted for current or former Armed Forces personnel (who have served in the armed forces within the five years preceding the application).There is also an exception for bereaved spouses or civil partners and existing or former members of the reserve forces who are suffering from an injury, illness or disability which is attributable to their service. We need proof of armed forces status to consider these exceptions. Applicants must also pass other eligibility rules such as not having a history of antisocial behaviour or tenancy breaches and not have an income or savings above our thresholds (n.b this doesn’t include lump sums for compensation due to an injury or disability sustained through your service).
• As a current or former member of the Armed Forces you will either be placed into Band A (urgent priory) or Band C (medium priority). Urgent priority will be given to current or former armed forces personnel who need to move urgently and had an assessed housing need because of a serious injury, medical condition or disability sustained as a result of their service. Medium priority will be given to current or former member of the Armed Forces who have a housing need.
• If you are accepted onto the waiting list, it can take several years before you are successful for a property.
• To apply to join the housing register please complete the online application from which can be found on our website. If you have any questions please call the Housing Register Team on 01737 276 790.

Council

• You can contact your local Council who can offer you advice and assistance depending on your situation. Call on 01737 276 790 for further details.
• If you are a single person, the Council can offer you financial assistance to help you secure a private rented property through the Single Persons Rent Deposit Scheme.

Hostels

Hostels can provide you with enough time to secure yourself new permanent accommodation and to apply for any support or benefits you may be entitled to. Visit our list of hostels webpage for further information.

eSOS (East Surrey Outreach Service)

eSOS offers support and access to hostels/supported housing to those who are currently rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. The Council or other support workers can refer you or you can contact eSOS directly via the eSOS website. You must have a local connection to access their service.

Care homes for veterans

A number of care homes are available for elderly and disabled veterans. For further information, contact the Royal British Legion or visit the Royal British Legion website.

Contacts

Useful housing contacts.