Military Matters

What Military Matters is

Established in 2013, Military Matters is our specialist service for members of the Armed Forces community. As well as being able to access housing options available to the general population, this community can also access accommodation which is solely available to those with a connection to the Armed Forces. We can advise on the full range of options.

Who Military Matters is for

The Military Matters service is available to the entire Armed Forces community in Scotland, including:

• Veterans and their families (including reservists)
• Serving personnel who want to leave service accommodation
• People in the process of leaving the Armed Forces
• Bereaved family members of service personnel
• Ex-partners of service personnel

Help is available, and asking for it is not a sign of failure.

Housing advice from experts who are also ex-Military

Our Military Matters team members are veterans, so we understand the specific challenges members of the Armed Forces community can face. You can also read more about how we work with our clients.

Working across the veterans sector

We work closely with partner military organisations, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner and the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the advice and support we provide is relevant and up to date. We are also members of COBSEO and Veterans Scotland, and we have been involved in a number of research projects relating to the wellbeing and housing needs of veterans. As well as providing one-to-one casework support through our Get Help form, we also offer monthly telephone advice appointments through Lothian Veterans Centre.

Housing options for the Armed Forces community in Scotland

For members of the Armed Forces community thinking about living in or relocating to Scotland, the Scottish Government guide Scottish housing guide for people leaving the Armed Forces and ex-service personnel provides an overview of processes and systems specific to Scotland.

If you are still serving and living in service accommodation, housing is managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). Helpful information can be found at the Defence Homes website, including everything you need to know about moving out.

Housing and the Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a commitment by the UK Government to ensure that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and not disadvantaged when accessing public services, including housing. The Scottish Government upholds the Covenant, meaning you should not face disadvantage because of your military service. You can find more information on what the Covenant supports in terms of housing on the Armed Forces Covenant website. The Covenant does not guarantee priority treatment or special advantages.

Support for veterans buying a home

Buying a home can be a good option if you can find a property that fits your budget and is in the area where you want to live. There are a number of support schemes available to veterans who are looking at home ownership.

Assisted buying schemes

If your savings and mortgage aren’t enough to buy the home you want, assisted buying schemes may be able to help. Some are open to everyone, while others are specifically for members of the Armed Forces community. Some schemes support buying a previously owned home, and others focus on newly built homes.

LIFT open market shared equity scheme

LIFT is aimed at you and your family if you have a low income and want to buy a home. Depending on your income and the savings you have, the Scottish Government will buy up to 40% of a home with you on the open market. There are maximum prices for homes you can buy with this scheme. When you sell the home, you split the sale price with the Scottish Government in the same proportion as you bought it.

The scheme gives priority to:

• Members of the Armed Forces
• Veterans who have left the Armed Forces in the past two years
• Widows, widowers and other partners of service personnel who have lost their life while serving in the Armed Forces in the last two years.

The Link Group provides information about LIFT Open Market and other shared equity schemes.

Armed Forces Deposit Contribution

Barratt Homes offers the Armed Forces Deposit Contribution Scheme to support members of the Armed Forces community in buying a new home.

The scheme provides a 5% deposit contribution, up to a maximum of £15,000, helping to reduce the upfront cost of purchasing a property. It’s open to serving Armed Forces personnel and those who have retired in the past 12 months. It applies to both cash buyers and those using a mortgage and is available on new Barratt homes.

To apply, you need to contact a sales advisor at a participating development, provide proof of military service, and work with a New Homes Mortgage Adviser to complete the process.

Forces Help to Buy

The Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme enables service personnel to borrow up to 50% of their salary, up to a maximum of £25,000 interest free, towards the purchase of a property. It is primarily aimed at first time buyers and to encourage people to get on the property ladder.

There are a number of criteria you must meet if you wish to apply:

• Have completed the pre-requisite length of service
• Are not a reservist or a member of the Military Provost Guard Service
• Have more than six months left to serve at the time you apply
• Meet the right medical categories.

The FHTB loan is interest free and repaid over ten years. You can use the money as part of a deposit, to help with legal fees, or a mixture of the two. Be aware: if you leave the Armed Forces, you must pay back any outstanding amount. This can be taken from any terminal grants you are due. If you cannot pay it back as one lump sum, arrangements will be made to reclaim any outstanding amounts.

You can apply for the loan online through the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system and can seek advice on your application through your chain of command or the FHTB Cell. You can find out more on the UK Government website.

Armed Forces Legal Action

To purchase a home, you will need a solicitor. Some law firms have specific expertise in supporting the Armed Forces community, and a number of these offer discounts to serving personnel and veterans through a scheme called Armed Forces Legal Action (AFLA). You may also find information and adverts for solicitors with military expertise in transition resources.