Lack of help for veteran's family 'a slap in the face'

Leigh has said she has "frantically" searched for a new home for her family

The wife of a veteran medically discharged from the army said a lack of housing support has been a “massive slap in the face”.

Leigh and her husband were told in the spring to leave the subsidised home in Windsor, Berkshire, where they have lived for 11 years.

They have been struggling to find housing they can move into with their four children and want to remain in their current home until September.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it must “carefully balance” providing housing to serving and former service personnel.

Leigh, whose husband served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he saw “atrocious sights and experienced awful things”.

“We’re currently sitting tenants here with threats of eviction and court letters and it’s petrifying. It’s an awful position to be in,” she said.

“My husband fought in two wars and served 22 years for his country and it’s not counted for anything.”

A full-time carer for one of her children, she said she has “frantically” searched for private and social housing.

But after her husband left the army he had no proof of income and the couple were unable to rent a new home.

One of their children is autistic and attends a special school so alternative accommodation in Hampshire offered by the army is not suitable, Leigh said.

Leigh's husband - not pictured - served in Iraq after Saddam Hussein was toppled

“[Our son] has very challenging needs. We have fought to keep him in school for many years," she said.

"At times we didn’t think he would make it because school’s been so difficult for him and me.

“We are literally asking for a few extra months so we can be stable and move out when we have enough proof of income for a private landlord. It is just a massive slap in the face.”

An MoD spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting our personnel and their families as they transition into civilian life and recognise the significance of this adjustment.

“We allow those leaving service to stay in military accommodation on a case-by-case basis to support this transition.

“Due to the high demand for military accommodation, we need to carefully balance ensuring serving personnel have access to housing, while allowing those who have left time to find alternative arrangements.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said ex-military personnel are given a “higher banding” on its housing register for social housing.

“However, social housing is in short supply nationally and those on the register for larger properties are likely to wait some time for the offer of a property. We are working to deliver more social housing locally,” a spokesperson said.