Guidance

What you need to know about the Future Accommodation Model

Updated 10 October 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-accommodation-model-what-you-need-to-know/what-you-need-to-know-about-fam

The Ministry of Defence is looking at how it can improve the accommodation offer for service personnel, to make it fairer, and more flexible, whilst keeping it affordable for the MOD.

Who’s affected

The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) will apply to personnel with families and those without, whether they are single, in a relationship or married. It will apply to all regular service personnel and eligible reserves.

Why accommodation might change

The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) committed the MOD to make a new accommodation offer, to help more personnel live in private accommodation and meet their aspirations for home ownership. The current accommodation system was developed many years ago and we know it works well for some people. However, there are a number of reasons why we think it needs to change:

Fairness

The current accommodation model does not support how all service personnel want to live, forcing some service personnel to opt out of subsidised accommodation and some personnel to compromise on family life.

Affordability

The current accommodation system has large overheads and an increasing need for repairs. It is also inefficient, as large numbers of houses have to be kept empty to allow personnel to move around.

Choice

The current model only gives a limited level of choice (and only for those who are married or in a civil partnership). By increasing the accommodation options available, FAM will support more choice for personnel.

Future Accommodation Model aims

The Future Accommodation Model (FAM) is under development right now. Whilst the detail hasn’t been agreed yet, we can tell you the aims we are working towards in developing the new policy:

FAM aims:

  • the total amount of subsidy service personnel receive for accommodation will not be cut (but changes to entitlement mean that individuals may receive more or less, depending on their need)
  • we are looking at providing service personnel with a level of accommodation subsidy according to need, not based on rank or marriage
  • FAM will continue to support you to remain mobile, but also aims to support those who want greater stability for themselves and/or their families
  • as well as financial support, MOD will provide you with other support (for example; training) to enable personnel to live and work where the MOD requires them to
  • whether you’re in SFA or rent near work, you will not be expected to pay more for the home you need if you are assigned to a more expensive location, the MOD will pick up the extra cost

Latest updates

The pilot was due to start in December 2018 but will now take place in 2019.

This allows more time to develop the pilot and ensure it is the most effective way to test the Future Accommodation Model. It is expected to take place at a small number of military bases.

We expect ministers to confirm locations and start dates next year.

In the meantime, service personnel will continue to utilise current accommodation policy.

Further information will be provided well in advance of a pilot start date.

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