What AFF's housing team can do for you

November 15, 2024

AFF’s housing team is here to help you with your enquiries. Here is a useful guide to what they can and can’t do.

THEY CAN:

Equip you with the correct, relevant advice and guidance to help you make informed decisions on your accommodation options for every stage of your service career.
Provide you with the correct policy and processes to follow.
With your permission, liaise with others on your behalf – organisations like the chain of command, military housing liaison officer, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Pinnacle, VIVO and Amey.
Raise any issues or concerns impacting you to the correct agencies.
Monitor trends and themes by gathering evidence and raise these to decision makers.
Advise where current policy is being adhered to.
Ensure the correct support is being provided by liaising with welfare teams.
Represent your voices at meetings.
Use evidence to help shape policy changes.
Keep you up to date with recent policy changes and how this may impact you.
Use evidence to raise areas of disadvantage to the Armed Forces Covenant team.
Equip families with the relevant information regarding civilian housing, like council tax discount for second homes.
Signpost to other external agencies who may be able to offer further support.
Provide information to external stakeholders including local authorities.

WHAT CAN’T THE HOUSING TEAM DO?

Engage with organisations without the correct process being followed initially – complaint references, work reference numbers.
Allocate SFA or provide floor plans, including granting retention or surplus.
See the availability of SFA throughout the UK and overseas.
Facilitate betterment or welfare moves, including removals and Disturbance Expense.
Book appointments for jobs or move-in/move-out appointments.
Manipulate policy to fit service families’ requirements.
Give specific financial or legal support.
Provide funding.
Facilitate access to social housing or private rental accommodation.

While social media is a great source of information for locations and housing, AFF often sees incorrect policy advice being given which can negatively affect families. So often there are nuances to each case which will need to be taken into consideration, so please do come direct to AFF and our experienced housing team can help answer the specific questions you may have.