Armed Forces veterans with PTSD and other mental illnesses could get priority for social housing
VETERANS who suffer from post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues will be given priority for social housing under new plans.
Housing Secretary James Brokenshire announced measures that will ensure current and former troops who have mental health problems will get the same treatment as those with physical problems when they apply for homes.
It means they will get to jump the queue for council houses even if they don’t live in the area.
The rule changes - which will be put out for consultation from today - will also make it easier for partners of armed forces personnel to find social housing if they divorce or separate.
The overhaul will mean all applicants for social housing are asked if they have served in the military in order to make sure veterans get the help they are entitled to.
Announcing the plans last night Mr Brokenshire hailed The Sun for campaigning on the issue.
He said: “I am a huge supporter of The Sun’s tireless campaigning for our heroic military servicemen and women.
“I want our military heroes and their families to get the priority they deserve when applying for social housing so we are looking to bring in new rules for councils.
“It’s right that troops suffering from PTSD and other mental health conditions should get the same priority as those who have suffered physical injuries.”
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Meanwhile last night Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson faced fresh questions over why defence chiefs ignored alarming warnings of a Grenfell-type inferno in decaying barracks - exposed by The Sun last week.
In a letter Defence committee boss Julian Lewis listed six questions Mr Williamson must answer about the “continual decline in fire safety standards over a period of time”.
Mr Lewis demanded answers “as a matter of priority” following the leaked report from the Defence Safety Authority, which highlighted the “unacceptable degradation” of fire safety standards in army accommodation.
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