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Social Housing: Service Personnel now able to establish Local Connection

Parliament has amended the Housing Act in favour of Service Personnel, who are now entitled to establish a local connection in the same way as civilians do. This will benefit individuals and their families for the purposes of applying for homelessness assistance or social housing, in England. Previously, being stationed in an area did not count for the purpose of establishing a local connection with that area.

The change follows a campaign led by former SNCO Nick Cowan, with strong support from BAFF, The Royal British Legion, and users of unofficial service community websites. BAFF obtained, through the Federation's solicitors Russell, Jones & Walker, written legal advice from counsel to assist the campaign.

The change took effect on 1 December, 2008 and is most likely to benefit those about to leave the Forces, those who have recently left, separated partners, and their families. Click here to read the Government letter to local authorities.

The legal detail

The change to the law is contained in section 315 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, which amended section 199 of the Housing Act 1996, which prevented applicants for social housing from establishing a "local connection" in the area where they or their partners had been stationed while serving in the armed forces.
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Copyright © 2006-2010 BAFF (2006) Ltd operating as British Armed Forces Federation. All rights reserved. The BAFF logo is a registered trade mark. Copyright statement.

British Armed Forces Federation ('BAFF') is the operating name of BAFF (2006) Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 59825. Registered office: 1st Floor, 11 Church St, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6LS. Legal and compliance info; Terms and conditions of use; Privacy and data protection statement. Information provided on this website is not intended as advice, legal or otherwise. Use of this website does not constitute any kind of professional or advisory relationship. Do not use this site to disregard any professional advice, or to delay seeking professional advice or representation because of something you have read or seen on this site.

BAFF is an independent organisation controlled by its members, who are serving and former members of HM Forces. BAFF (2006) Ltd operating as British Armed Forces Federation is regulated by the Ministry of Justice in respect of regulated claims management activities. Its registration is recorded on the website www.claimsregulation.gov.uk.