SAC0047

Written evidence submitted by Mrs Katie Singleton

Re: Call for Evidence for Service Accommodation

I wish to respond to your call for evidence regarding Service Accommodation. As the spouse of a serving military member, I am writing this to you from within my SFA (Service Families Accommodation) in Paisley, Glasgow. My husband is a Major, and thus we were eligible for a type IV house, of 4 bedrooms which is what we were allocated. This is our second military house, the first being during our posting to Kenya (BATUK). I am aware that housing while aboard is managed differently, with different local standards and stock available. My responses to the questions below will be in regards to my experiences on the UK side, which have been mostly positive. It is important that the ‘good’ is able to come out as part of the evidence.

  1. What measures have been put in place to resolve the housing maintenance issues, hold service providers to account and ease the cost of living for service families?

As a user of the Pinnacle Service Families website and services for the March In and general maintenance I have, generally, no complaints. It is easy to raise a fault, it is easy to speak to someone (although the suppliers and complexity of bureaucracy mean answers are not always easy to come by), and generally all appointments have been attended, and the job fixed. There is no way to prioritise an issue (such as no hot water to bathe the baby) despite the comments section. There have also been long (6 works days) wait for what should be urgent appointments (ref hot water). The workmen attending have been briefed on the issue, come prepared and are polite and friendly.

 

  1. Do the new Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) contracts for Service Family Accommodation represent value for money and are they operating effectively?

Unable to comment on Value for Money or effectiveness.

  1. What is the MOD doing and what more could they do to rebuild trust in service accommodation?

We have been lucky as the standard of house we have moved into is very high, with new carpets and decorating throughout. However, I have previously been in other SFAs of friends where the houses are very tired. This is a combination of very high turnover; rental houses should have 1 move every 5-10 years, not up to 5 as would be in service accommodation; and a cheapest/fastest fix on fail rather than maintain provision to facilities.

IIt is difficult running a house, and having to do it alone while partners are deployed for many nights a year is tough. Dealing with substandard housing after a long day is depressing. Being able to provide good homes, not just walls and a roof, with fast repairs on persistent issues like leaks, mould, heating etc will be the biggest trust builder in the service accommodation. Families do not want a gold standard, but they don’t want to have to ‘make do’.

  1. Are there examples of good practice in provision of service accommodation, which could be replicated across Defence? What are the lessons and what is the potential impact of the re-negotiation of the Annington Homes contract?

The houses provided in the Paisley Patch (for APC) are of a good standard and quality. They are on a mixed patch with civilian owned houses around. This is a good example.

Unable to comment on Annington Homes.

  1. Is enough money being invested to modernise and future proof military accommodation and how long will it take for all military accommodation to meet an acceptable standard of energy efficiency? Is the MOD being as forward thinking and innovative as it could be in its approach to new housing stock?

Unable to answer this question. However, the NAM as being rolled out offers a large change in how housing stock is managed and allocated. This has created a lot of noise in the wider community, as it is such a large change, but it is a forward thinking and new approach to housing stock.

  1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Future Accommodation Model? How successful was the Future Accommodation Model pilot and what should the MOD take forward to include in the new accommodation offer?

Unable to comment on the FAM Pilot as not involved. As a recipient of the changes under the New Accommodation offer there are no benefits to our family, even with the introduction of increased option for private rental. There are major disadvantages including reduction in size of house (from 4 bed to 3 bed); mixed rank patches and, if forced to rent privately, increased complexity and cost of private rentals in a saturated and competitive market.

  1. Is enough being done to help personnel leaving service transition to civilian housing?

Unable to comment

  1. Could the Service accommodation offer be more supportive to those experiencing relationship breakdown or domestic abuse?

Unable to comment.

 

27 October 2023