City of Wolverhampton Council has been praised for its work in helping ex-service personnel make the transition from service accommodation to social housing.

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The Government has provided statutory guidance outlining what is expected of local authorities in terms of prioritising former service personnel in housing allocations.

Based on this, the Royal British Legion has highlighted Wolverhampton as an example of good practice alongside the London Borough of Croydon Council, Liverpool City Council, and Wiltshire County Council.

City of Wolverhampton Council is a lead signatory on the Armed Forces Community Covenant and the housing team place Armed Forces personnel with families in Band 1 of their housing allocation priority list if they provide their Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement to Occupy Service Living Accommodation.

Royal British Legion Area Manager - West Midlands, Ian Barber, said: "Well done and thank you to everyone at City of Wolverhampton Council.

"The transition from service accommodation to the social housing market is not an easy one.

"Anything local authorities can do to help this process will help service families to concentrate on the myriad of other issues, such as employment and school places.

"Wolverhampton is one of the examples other authorities could use as a path to follow."

Sam Axtell, City of Wolverhampton Council Consultation and Community Involvement Officer, added: "The covenant aims to encourage all citizens to support the local Armed Forces community and make it easier for Service personnel, families and veterans to access the help and support they need.

"It includes help from organisations such as the Ministry of Defence (MOD), from statutory providers and from the charitable and voluntary sector.

"The scheme is intended to be a 2 way arrangement, with the Armed Forces encouraged to do as much as they can to support their community and promote activity which integrates service personnel into civilian life."

Members of the Armed Forces community, their families and veterans can find help and support on a wide range of issues at a dedicated web page.

The page provides details of organisations across the city who provide support with employment, housing, welfare and medical issues, as well as information on the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

  • released: Tuesday 26 April, 2016