South West Homes

MOD Staff

Discharge from the Armed Forces can feel some time away for many, however, it is essential to assess your housing options as far in advance of your exit date as possible.  Being prepared and getting information will ensure you make the transition to civilian life as easy as possible for yourself and your family.

The earlier you make an application to us the earlier we can consider you for the HomeBuy schemes that are available for MOD staff.

MOD staff can apply to take part in any of the HomeBuy schemes and in most circusmtances are given priority over other first time buyers.  You can read more about this scheme by clicking here.

Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme

If you have between 4-6 years of continuous service, the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme is a way for you to buy a home suited to your needs, with some extra help to top up your mortgage.

The scheme is designed specifically to provide qualifying applicants with assistance to purchase a home. If you are eligible, the scheme could provide you with a loan of between 15-50% of the value of the home that you choose on the open market, usually through an estate agent like any other buyer. For example if you qualify for a mortgage of £70,000, you could potentially purchase a property worth up to £140,000.

For more details and to find out if you qualify for the scheme visit: www.afhos.co.uk or contact, Swaythling Housing Society on 0800 028 1980, or email enquiries@afhos.co.uk

Other useful contacts

Ministry of Defence - Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO)

Part of the Ministry of Defence, the JSHAO is set up to provide Service personnel and their families with information and advice on the increasingly complex range of civilian housing options. The JSHAO provides a focal point for housing information and advice to all Service personnel and their families in particular those about to return to civilian life, and to ex-Service personnel who are still in Service Families Accommodation.

To visit their website please Click Here

SPACES - Single Person Accomodation Centre for the Ex-Services.

The Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex Services, SPACES, is designed to help single ex-regulars find appropriate accommodation when they leave the services. Through this service the project reduces the likelihood of ex-service personnel becoming homeless or sleeping rough after discharge.

Ministry of Defence Referral Scheme

This scheme launched to re-house service leavers through nomination rights originally acquired when surplus MOD  properties were sold to housing associations. However, because these rights have now ended, the scheme is wholly dependent on the goodwill of housing associations, whose properties are not specifically intended for, nor do they belong to, the JSHAO. The scheme is reliant on housing associations requesting referrals for vacant properties but applicants may also be referred to housing association waiting lists through this ccheme.

SIIAP (the Services Insurance & Investment Advisory Panel)

SIIAP (the Services Insurance & Investment Advisory Panel) is an advisory panel of regulated insurance and independent investment advisers. They all specialise in offering services to members of HM Forces and regulated by the appropriate authority in the United Kingdom, therefore offering full compensation rights to clients whether serving overseas or in the UK.