Need housing support? Why telling your local council should be your first step
If you’re a veteran who is homeless, at risk of losing your home or struggling to find secure accommodation, it’s important to know about your rights and the support available. Across the UK, local councils have legal duties to provide housing support for veterans, and there are specific rules designed to make sure your service is recognised.
This guide sets out what to do, and why saying you’re a veteran can make a real difference.
Time to read:
This guidance is for England, Wales and Scotland. There is a separate guide for Northern Ireland.
Homeless or at risk?
Your local council must help
Local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland have a legal duty to offer housing support for veterans if:
- you’re already homeless, or
- you’re likely to become homeless within the next 8 weeks
They may be able to provide:
- advice and prevention support
- emergency accommodation
- help finding longer‑term housing
- support to help you stay in your current home
You don’t have to tell them you’re a veteran, but it’s strongly recommended. Veteran status can unlock additional priority and exemptions that other applicants do not receive.
How to get started
Contact your local authority and let them know your situation.
If you don’t have a postcode, contact a nearby council – they can direct you.
No local connection requirement for veterans in England
Councils in England must not apply local connection rules to:
- anyone currently serving
- anyone who has ever served in the regular armed forces
This means you can apply for housing support anywhere in the country, even if you haven’t lived there before.
Exemptions also apply to:
- bereaved spouses or civil partners leaving MoD accommodation
- injured reservists with service‑related conditions
Local connection tests work differently in Wales and Scotland, but councils are encouraged to take armed forces service into account in their priority checks.
Making a homeless application:
What to expect
When you contact you local council:
Tell them you want to make a homeless application.
You’ll usually speak to a housing officer – often the same day if you have nowhere safe to stay.
They’ll ask about your housing situation so they can decide what help they must provide.
You can ask a friend, family member or support worker to be with you for support during the conversation.
What to take with you
(if you can)
If possible, take any:
- proof of identity
- tenancy agreements
- eviction notices
- medical information
But do not delay applying if you don’t have these – you can still be assessed.
If you’re in immediate danger
If you can’t stay where you are because of violence, abuse or threats, you can still access housing support for veterans through your council.
You can also contact:
Refuge / Women’s Aid: 0808 2000 247 (24/7, free)
Respect Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm, free)
What happens after you apply
The council will contact you explaining:
- what housing support they can offer
- whether they can help you stay in your home
- whether you qualify for emergency or longer‑term housing
While waiting, continue searching for housing yourself. This protects you if the council can’t offer housing immediately.
If your application was refused in the past, you can apply again if:
- your circumstances have changed, or
- you have new evidence (such as medical information)
How priority is decided
Councils in England, Wales and Scotland must give reasonable preference to people with urgent housing needs.
They must give additional preference if you:
- are a veteran who is about to become homeless
- have a serious physical or mental health condition linked to service
- are an injured reservist
- are a bereaved spouse or civil partner affected by service‑related death
This can move you into a higher priority band, improving your chances of being housed sooner.
Councils are also advised not to demand excessive evidence, such as a full service medical history.
How the Armed Forces Covenant helps veterans looking for housing support
All local councils in the UK have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
Under the Covenant, local councils must consider:
- the sacrifices made by service personnel
- the need to remove disadvantages caused by service
- whether special provision is justified
This applies when councils:
- assess homeless applications
- allocate social housing
- design housing strategies
- award Disabled Facilities Grants
In short: your service must be taken into account when housing decisions are made.
You’re not alone:
support is available
Asking for housing help is not a failure. Housing issues can affect anyone, and the law is clear: councils must assess your case and provide support.
There are also specialist organisations that can help veterans who are homeless or at risk. This support ranges from advocacy to supported housing.
If you’ve reported your homelessness to the local authority, Op FORTITUDE can help you navigate support services.
Organisations that can provide
housing support or advice for veterans
The GOV.UK veteran support directory allows you to search and filter organisations in one place. It’s a helpful tool for finding services that fit your situation.