Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will update the Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities to remove the local connection test for those currently serving in the Regular Armed Forces or who have served in the Regular Forces.

Our veterans play a vital role in keeping our country safe and we are committed to ensuring that they are provided with all the support they need to successfully adjust back into civilian life

Homelessness legislation includes eligibility criteria such as the local connection test, to ensure that resources are prioritised effectively, ensuring accommodation is there for people who need it most. We have already made changes to local connection rules to ensure that veterans are not at a disadvantage as a result of their service.

Section 315 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 amended the local connection test to enable armed forces personnel to establish a local connection in an area through residing there by choice, or being employed there, in the same way as a civilian.

Service personnel can also apply to the local authority where they are currently based or, if they were previously in another area for 3 out of the last 5 years they could chose to apply to that authority. They could also choose to apply to an area where they have never lived but have close family living, or where they have special reasons for needing to live.