Guides › Public Services › Veterans and Service Leavers: Help With Housing
Veterans and Service Leavers: Help with Housing
If you are a veteran who is homeless or at risk of losing your home, Op FORTITUDE is the government-backed referral route, on 0800 9520 774, and you can refer yourself. Councils must treat a veteran who is vulnerable as a result of service as having a priority need. Current and former armed forces members do not need a local connection to apply for housing support in England.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Getting Help
Op FORTITUDE
A government-backed central referral pathway for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Veterans can refer themselves, and referrals are accepted from the public, charities, councils and others. It supports veterans into suitable accommodation or to keep their current home. source
Local Connection
Some people do not need a local connection to apply for housing support in England, including current or former UK armed forces members, and bereaved spouses or civil partners losing MOD housing after a service-related death. source
What the Council Must Do
Priority Need
A former member of the regular armed forces who is vulnerable as a result of that service has a priority need for accommodation. Councils can look at length and type of service, time in military hospital, time since leaving and support from family and friends. source
Leaving Service Housing
Councils should not insist on a court order to show entitlement to service accommodation has ended: the MOD's Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement, issued 6 months before discharge, is the evidence. Leaving service quarters after giving proper notice should not be treated as intentional homelessness. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 6 monthsBefore dischargeCertificate of Cessation of Entitlement is issued
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Call Op FORTITUDE on 0800 9520 774.
Step 2 of 5
Contact your council's homelessness team as early as possible.
Step 3 of 5
Take your Certificate of Cessation of Entitlement or discharge papers.
Step 4 of 5
Tell the council how your service affects you.
Step 5 of 5
Ask for a written decision and request a review if refused.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Op FORTITUDE
0800 9520 774. Veterans can refer themselves.
Help from Your Council (GOV.UK)
Enter your postcode to reach your council's homelessness team.
Shelter England
Free advice on deposit claims and eviction notices.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on any renting problem.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Get help early: councils have duties to prevent homelessness as well as relieve it.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different housing rules.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/support-for-veterans/op-fortitude Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/homelessness-help-from-council Checked 15 October 2026
- gov.uk/guidance/homelessness-code-of-guidance-for-local-authorities/chapter-24-former-members-of-the-armed-forces Checked 15 October 2026
- england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenancy_deposits/check_your_tenancy_deposit_is_protected/deposit_not_protected Checked 8 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026