One common thing we all hold in Great Yarmouth is a deep respect for our armed forces. Those that put their lives on the line so that we can can enjoy our freedoms. They deserve our support and proper funding, not just while they serve but also as a veteran.
In an uncertain and increasingly dangerous world, one thing should be certain: that those who serve our country can rely on safe, decent housing for themselves and their families. Yet for too long, that promise has been broken.
Recent data shows that just 51% of service families are satisfied with their accommodation, and only 34% are satisfied with the response to maintenance issues. That isn’t just a housing problem—it’s a morale problem, and it’s contributing to a steady decline in armed forces numbers, with 1,340 fewer personnel between April 2024 and April 2025.
That’s why I'm pleased to see the Conservatives have unveiled a bold plan to tackle this: the creation of a Forces Housing Association—a new, independent body tasked with rebuilding the defence estate and delivering high-quality homes for military families.
What Will the Forces Housing Association Do?
The new association will:
- Redevelop and maintain forces housing with long-term investment, moving away from the cycle of patchwork repairs.
- Give service families a direct voice through an oversight board including resident representatives.
- Launch a Forces Shared Ownership Scheme, allowing personnel to buy a share in a home near base, helping them get onto the property ladder while paying affordable rent.
- Free up public money, ending reliance on expensive short-term private rentals, which currently cost the MOD £80 million per year.
This is about building trust and respect back into the system. Just like the “homes fit for heroes” that followed World War I, this initiative recognises that those who serve deserve the best—not the bare minimum.
Why Now?
Labour has claimed it will “stop the rot,” but while they talk, families wait. Their Strategic Defence Review promises more funding, but delays real reform. Worse still, their deal to surrender the Chagos Islands will cost the UK taxpayer £30 billion over the next 99 years—money that could have been used to strengthen our defences and support those who serve.
Under the last Conservative Government, £400 million was already being invested to modernise military homes—upgrading heating systems, fixing damp and mould, and delivering new kitchens and bathrooms. We also began the critical buyback of the defence estate from Annington, a flawed 1996 deal that Labour now admits was a disaster. That groundwork has laid the path for this new model.
A New Model, A Better Future
The Forces Housing Association will operate like other housing associations—independent, accountable, and focused solely on delivering for its tenants. It won’t sell off military housing. It will build a better future for those living in it.
And by introducing shared ownership options, we’ll support personnel to build wealth and security while still serving—something that’s often been out of reach due to relocation and unpredictable postings.
As we shape the next phase of Conservative policy, the message is clear: we’ve got our armed forces’ backs. This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about dignity, stability and showing that service is truly valued—not just in words, but in action.
Let’s make homes for heroes a reality again.
