Housing reforms give military families greater say over their homes
A new Red Tape Challenge, announced today by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, will invite military families to identify and remove outdated housing rules, while new national and regional committees will ensure their experiences directly influence future decisions about accommodation services. A ground-breaking pilot will also give them a role in signing off repairs to their homes.
The measures build on recent changes already introduced by the Ministry of Defence, including ending outdated restrictions on keeping pets and giving families greater freedom to decorate their homes.
They form part of the Government’s £9.2 billion Defence Housing Strategy, which will transform military housing through the new Defence Housing Service, delivering better homes, improved service standards, and a stronger focus on the needs of Service personnel and their families.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP said:
Service families should not feel that decisions about their homes are being made without them. These reforms are about giving families more power and control, with a stronger voice in shaping housing services and a clear route to challenge things that aren’t working.
Alongside major investment in defence housing, we are determined to build a service that listens and delivers the standard of housing our Armed Forces and their families deserve.
A new Code of Conduct will ensure families receive a more consistent and respectful service from everyone representing Defence housing, including contractors across the supply chain.
A new pilot is also being introduced that will give families a greater role in signing off repairs and maintenance work, helping to ensure issues are fully resolved and work is completed to the expected standard before jobs are closed.
A new Customer Committee will also give families a direct voice in decision-making at a national level, while Regional Experience Committees will bring together residents from across the country to identify local issues and help shape future services. Together, the committees will ensure that family feedback informs decisions across the Defence housing system. This shows the government’s commitment to problem-solving and putting power back into local communities.
Tricia Jakeman, Defence Families Champion, whose role it is to listen to Service families and the challenges they are facing, said:
Behind every military home is a family whose support is essential to operational life. Giving Service families a stronger voice in the decisions that affect them is not only the right thing to do; it is essential if we are to deliver the quality of housing and services they deserve.
The changes we’ve seen over the past year show what can be achieved when families are listened to, and this is an important step in ensuring their voices continue to drive positive change.
The Defence Housing Strategy, launched in November, set out the MOD’s plans to reform military housing over the next decade. Backed by £9.2 billion of investment, it will be delivered through the Defence Housing Service, which will be formally established in April 2027.
Service families can find out more about the Red Tape Challenge and submit their suggestions here: Red Tape Challenge
Source: UK Ministry of Defence (2026-09-18T10:08:00+01:00)
