Military Families to Gain Stronger Voice in Housing Decisions Through New Reforms

The Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, has today launched a new Red Tape Challenge inviting military families to help identify and abolish outdated housing regulations. As part of the initiative, national and regional committees will be established to ensure that families’ experiences directly shape future decisions on accommodation services. In addition, a pioneering pilot programme will allow families to play an active role in approving repairs to their homes.

These measures build on recent changes already introduced by the Ministry of Defence, including the removal of outdated restrictions on keeping pets and greater flexibility for families to personalise their homes.

The reforms form a key part of the Government’s £9.2 billion Defence Housing Strategy, which aims to transform military housing through the creation of the Defence Housing Service. The new body will deliver higher-quality homes, improved service standards, and a renewed emphasis on meeting the needs of Service personnel and their families.

Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting MP, said:

Service families should never feel that decisions about their homes are being made without them. These reforms are about giving families more power and control, with a stronger voice in shaping housing services and a clear route to challenge anything that is not working.

Alongside major investment in defence housing, we are determined to build a service that genuinely listens and delivers the standard of housing our Armed Forces and their families deserve.

A new Code of Conduct will guarantee that families receive a more consistent and respectful service from all those representing Defence housing, including contractors across the supply chain.

A new pilot programme will also give families a greater role in signing off repair and maintenance work, helping to ensure that issues are fully resolved and that work meets the expected standard before jobs are formally closed.

A new Customer Committee will provide families with a direct voice in national decision-making, while Regional Experience Committees will bring together residents from across the country to identify local concerns and help shape future services. Together, these committees will ensure that family feedback informs decisions across the entire Defence housing system, reflecting the Government’s commitment to problem-solving and empowering local communities.

Tricia Jakeman, Defence Families Champion, whose role it is to listen to Service families and the challenges they are facing, said:

Behind every military home is a family whose support is essential to operational life. Giving Service families a stronger voice in the decisions that affect them is not only the right thing to do, it is essential if we are to deliver the quality of housing and services they deserve.

The changes we have seen over the past year show what can be achieved when families are listened to, and this is an important step in ensuring their voices continue to drive positive change.

The Defence Housing Strategy, launched in November, set out the MOD’s plans to reform military housing over the next decade. Backed by £9.2 billion of investment, it will be delivered through the Defence Housing Service, which will be formally established in April 2027.

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