Under a scheme tested in Cyprus and the Falklands, British military personnel in long-term relationships are now eligible for military housing abroad, aligning with the provisions for married couples and those in civil partnerships, according to forces.net.
This initiative aims to provide service personnel with access to Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the Falkland Islands and Sovereign Base Areas Cyprus, locations where over a third of overseas personnel are stationed.
“It’s about making sure that we remove any unintended barriers to service overseas and we attract the widest talent,” people operations specialist Wing Commander Jackie Wren told Forces News.
“The same as all applications for housing here in Cyprus which is rank-driven, but we’re reflecting on family needs, if there is a family requirement which is bigger than the standard allocation then that would be addressed,” he added, noting that they are anticipating around 45-50 applicants this year.
Applicants must meet certain criteria, including having been in a relationship for at least a year and demonstrating financial interdependence.
The success of this trial could enhance the overseas offering for those in relationships, mitigating the challenges of long-distance relationships or the pressure to marry for cohabitation entitlements.
