HOUSING JOINT SERVICE HOUSING ADVICE What is the JSHAO?
A service married quarters house. MoD photographer. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
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The Joint Service Housing Advice Office provides specialist housing information and advice to encourage Service personnel and their families to consider their civilian housing options. Housing Briefings
stablished in 1992, the JSHAO was formed as it was recognised that many personnel were leaving
the Services with little or no understanding of the civilian housing options available to them and the differing financial implications when occupying civilian housing compared to Service accommodation. Many personnel were leaving the Service and being declared homeless. There is a misconception that this issue only affected those who ended up as rough sleepers but, in truth, personnel with 20-30 years experience, including those with young families, were approaching the end of their Service with no clear idea of their future housing plans.
Since its inception the JSHAO has offered civilian housing advice to thousands of personnel. Although a lot of the work undertaken is directed at those approaching the end of their Service it is acknowledged that an earlier intervention may reduce the
54 Envoy Spring 2015
numbers of personnel still occupying Service accommodation as they approach their discharge date. Whilst the JSHAO will always offer advice to those personnel leaving the Service we also recognise the need to deliver civilian housing advice throughout an individual’s Service career. This through- career advice will mean that, regardless of the point in their career that they decide to make the transition from service to civilian accommodation, individuals will have the background knowledge that will allow them to make informed decisions as well as having the JSHAO on hand to offer further advice if required.
We hope that this article will serve as a reminder of the services provided by the JSHAO. It may be that you don’t have an immediate civilian housing need, however, the peculiarities of Service life make it difficult to know what is around the corner. If you, or any of your friends, colleagues or subordinates find that you subsequently need to look at that transition to civilian housing it is important that you are aware of who the JSHAO are, and what we can do to help.
JSHAO deliver Civilian Housing Briefings at Regional Resettlement Centres in the UK and Education Centres in Germany, and Cyprus. These briefs are designed to give you the information to help you make informed choices on your civilian housing. The briefings cover the following areas:
• Understanding your housing need • House Purchase (including Forces Help to Buy)
• Affordable Home Ownership Schemes • Private Rental • Social Housing • Independent Financial Advice.
These briefings are predominantly attended by personnel in the last two years of Service, however, it is recognised that the information available at these briefings will be of use to anyone considering their civilian housing options, therefore any Service personnel can attend. Spouses/ Partners are also welcome at these briefings. The dates of the briefings are widely advertised on Units and details
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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