DIO has launched a Red Tape Challenge giving Service families the chance to highlight and help remove outdated housing rules.
It’s part of a package of measures aimed at improving Service family housing, strengthening customer service, and ensuring families have a greater voice in decisions that affect your homes.
Recent changes based on issues raised in the 2025 Defence Housing questionnaire, include more flexibility in decorating homes and keeping pets.
Now measures are being introduced to improve maintenance services. They include a new pilot scheme giving you a greater role in signing off SFA repairs and maintenance.
Regional experience committees were announced recently to help identify local issues. But a new customer committee is also being formed to give families a direct voice in national decision-making.
Defence Families Champion Trish Jakeman said: “Giving Service families a stronger voice in the decisions that affect them is not only the right thing to do, it is essential if we are to deliver the quality of housing and services they deserve.”
The Red Tape Challenge poses a series of questions. They include whether you want to improve your home or cut issues like duplication and delay.
You’re asked about your experience, what changes you want and how they will affect you and your family.
AFF welcomes opportunities for Service families to share your experiences and influence future improvements to housing services. We encourage you to take part and ensure your voices are heard.
Your voice matters
By taking the Red Tape Challenge, you can help identify barriers, reduce duplication, simplify processes and improve services. You can also contribute to positive change for Service families across the UK.
And in early October you’ll have an opportunity to influence future SFA design in a new-build layout questionnaire. Keep an eye out for the autumn issue of Army&You, which has more detail.
The changes support the Defence Housing Strategy which aims to improve and modernise SFA over the coming years. The programme will be delivered through the Defence Housing Service from April next year.
PUBLISHED ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2026