Armed Forces and Veteran Housing Policies: The United Kingdom 2021 Vision
Abstract: Accessing suitable accommodation post transition into civilian life from the military is one of the key markers for future success and wellbeing. For many this process can and does start during their military career. Some veterans struggle to find appropriate housing, often complicated by other difficulties associated with employment, physical and mental injuries, or difficulties with relationships. Over the past two years the position of veterans, veterans’ families, and service people in transition in the United Kingdom (UK) has gained increased national and international visibility through the establishment of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. The Ministry of Defence’s 2018 Strategy for Our Veterans’ report contains a key theme that veterans in the UK should have a secure place to live either through buying, renting or social housing. However, the National Audit Office (NAO) recently reported that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is not meeting its commitment to provide high-quality, subsidised accommodation to all service personnel. Satisfaction with single living accommodation has declined in recent years and can impact on the retention of military personnel, risking the MOD’s ability to deliver defence capabilities. This review looks at the policy changes made in the past two years to support quality UK service accommodation, aid, sustain successful post-military transitions, and ensure veterans do not want for adequate housing.
Abstract: The unique demands of military life can adversely impact romantic relationships; however, research has mainly focused on these adverse outcomes at one-time point, overlooking changes over time or potential positive outcomes. Using a subsample of 3,845 male and female military personnel and veterans from a large UK dataset, this study examined positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction between two-time points (2007–2009; 2014–2016). Most participants reported no change in their relationship satisfaction, suggesting stability − 8% reported a positive change and 10% a negative change. Positive change was associated with being in a long-term relationship, alcohol misuse remission, and persistent alcohol misuse. Negative change was associated with the onset of mental health problems (probable PTSD, CMD, or alcohol misuse) and having children under 18. Some factors, like increasing age, childhood family relationship adversity, and mental health problems, were associated with both positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction. This study highlights the complexity of factors associated with relationship satisfaction among military personnel and veterans, with some experiencing positive changes, as well as negative changes over time.