Future Accommodation Model (FAM)

01   Changes in FAM policy from 12 July 2021

Due to feedback from Service personnel assigned to the FAM pilot sites, several changes in FAM policy are being introduced for the duration of the pilot:

• Length of service reduced from four years’ service to one year’s service.
• The requirement to have 12 months left on your posting at the FAM pilot site is reduced to six months.
• For those at a FAM pilot site who meet the FAM criteria – if you are currently living in SFA and want to move to private rental or your own home you can now claim for a contribution towards the cost of moving for voluntary mid-assignment moves. This is only available within the FAM pilot sites and nowhere else.
• You will need to first meet the FAM eligibility requirements, submit an accommodation preference form to either establish acceptance onto the FAM pilot scheme or notification of a change of accommodation option if already in the scheme. The contribution is a once-only payment during the FAM pilot and will be limited to the total expenditure or £2,000, whichever is lower. In order to claim you will need to complete Annex O within JSP 464 volume 4 Part 1. An indicative list of what you could claim for can be seen in JSP 464 volume 4 part 1 0713.
• Income tax and National Insurance liabilities incurred as a result of claiming this contribution will be met by the serving person.
• NB: If, within the FAM pilot, you are opting to buy your first home, you are already eligible to claim disturbance expense, removals and a refund of legal expenses (new buyer), therefore you cannot claim the voluntary mid-assignment moves contribution.

To find out more, email the FAM Cell: People-FAMCell-ald@mod.gov.uk or see gov.uk.

02   What you need to know about FAM

For the most up-to-date information on the FAM pilot, including information on eligibility to be part of the pilot, your housing options, widening of entitlement to include established long-term relationships and soldiers who have children to stay for more than 80 nights, how to apply for your chosen accommodation preference under FAM and the allowances associated with FAM, click here.

03   Living in your own home – guidance from FAM team

The MOD has provided more information about what families are entitled to when buying or living in their own home under the FAM pilot.

Click here to download.

04   FAM FAQs

The FAM cell have put together a list of FAQs which can be viewed on Defence Gateway. Your soldier will be able to access this at home with their log in details so you will be able to view the site together.

05   Your FAM questions answered

In March 2020 we invited the FAM team to join us in a Facebook Live session to answer your questions on all things FAM related. We would like to thank all of you who participated by asking questions and raising your concerns. Some of those questions were taken away by the FAM team to explore further in order to provide a more detailed response. We are pleased to let you know that we have now received those responses and they can be viewed here.

If you have any further questions or comments as a result of any of the FAQ responses, or about FAM in general, please contact our Housing Specialist, Cat Calder at housingsupport@aff.org.uk and they will be forwarded to the FAM team for an answer.

06   FAM updates

AFF is working with the FAM comms team, to help ensure that the questions and concerns families really want answered are being put forward for inclusion in the future comms where possible. If you have any specific questions or concerns about FAM, please contact Cat Calder at housingsupport@aff.org.uk

Links

Over 80 nights

News articles

News article 11 Sept 2019: Which accommodation choice is right for you?
News article 1 Jul 2019: Your Accommodation, Your Choice
News article 3 Apr 2019: FAM pilot area announced

Downloads

FAM update – April 2019
FAM information on pilot sites – April 2019
FAM The road to launch at Aldershot Garrison
DCGS letter: FAM pilot and widening eligibility for Service Family Accommodation

07   Geographically balanced private rental allowance

New rates for the FAM private rental allowance have been released. The rates include a core payment and a geographic variation including a council tax adjustment. Find the new rates here.

08   FAM Archive

Click here for the FAM Archive page.