Council Supports 'Homes for Heroes'
WAR heroes are to be prioritised on housing waiting lists in Comet country, in a bid to help them settle back into Civvy Street. Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is one of four councils in the country to take the decision to give preferential treatment to
WAR heroes are to be prioritised on housing waiting lists in Comet country, in a bid to help them settle back into Civvy Street.
Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is one of four councils in the country to take the decision to give preferential treatment to ex-servicemen and women. The others are Birmingham, Solihull and Winchester.
The move by SBC was made last month. It means ex-servicemen and women who apply to join the housing register will be given extra points, to put them higher up the list than they otherwise would be.
Cllr Ann Webb, SBC's portfolio holder for housing, said: "Stevenage council has recently increased priority within its allocation scheme to armed forces personnel leaving their service.
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"The council has made this decision in recognition of the difficulties service personnel face in accessing secure accommodation."
Service in the armed forces is now one of a number of factors currently taken into consideration when people apply to join the housing register. Other factors which can gain applicants points, and determine their position in the housing list, include current living conditions, special needs and medical conditions.
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A spokesman for SBC said being an ex-serviceman or woman "will add to someone's case for housing and you would expect it to reduce the amount of time they have to wait." She added: "It acknowledges the contribution they have made.
