Housing advice: armed forces

If you are at risk of homelessness or worried about your housing situation, you can email housing@westberks.gov.uk and we will contact you to arrange an appointment.

If you are homeless today, or your enquiry is urgent, you can call 01635 519 530 and choose option 2 to speak to a housing officer. We are available Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. 
If you have been made homeless outside of these hours, call the emergency duty team on 01344 351 999.

See our homelessness support page for more information.

Housing information and advice

Prior to leaving the service, the armed forces will provide housing information and advice to you through the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO).

If you need advice and assistance to find accommodation, you should contact the Housing Operations Team on 01635 519 530 and choose option 2. Alternatively, you can email us at housing@westberks.gov.uk.

If you are going to be discharged from the forces, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) will issue a "Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy Service Accommodation". You should provide a copy of this to the team as soon as you get it.

Support from the housing service

Our Housing Strategy sets out two key priorities that relate to armed forces support; these are: 

Priority 1: enable every resident to have access to a home that meets their needs 

The council works in partnership with developers and registered providers to increase the supply of affordable housing in West Berkshire.

Our Housing Allocations Policy provides additional preference to key workers to support their applications for social housing. The council's definition of key workers includes armed forces personnel.  

You can find out more on our 'find housing' webpages.
 

Priority 2: reduce homelessness

We are committed to preventing and reducing homelessness in the area. 

If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, you should contact the Housing Options Team. An officer will complete a housing options assessment with you, and you will be issued with a personalised housing plan. The plan will set out the steps both you and the council need to take to resolve your housing situation.

The assessment will also determine whether the council will be able to provide you with emergency accommodation. This will be discussed with you.

Other support services

You can find other charities and organisations providing housing support on our armed forces pages.

You can also find other advice and local support, as well as other organisations providing employment, financial and health and wellbeing support.