Dorset MP welcomes plans to improve standard of military housing
Military homes, plagued with damp and mould, across the South West will soon be repaired and refurbished as part of a government scheme
Last updated 28th Apr 2025
Military families across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are set to benefit from major improvements to their homes, as part of a national programme to rapidly raise the standard of military housing.
The new measures – which will apply to all 177 military homes in BCP recently brought back into public ownership – are part of the government’s Homes Fit for Heroes campaign.
Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale has welcomed the new plans, which include a strengthened move-in standard, faster repairs, refurbishment of the worst homes, and a named housing officer for every military family.
MP Jessica Toale said: “This is about ensuring that those who serve our country – and their families – are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,”
“In conversations I’ve had with serving personnel and veterans, I know that housing remains a top concern, particularly for families with children.
“By reversing the 1996 sell-off and bringing these homes back into public ownership, we’re not only improving living standards, but saving taxpayers money too.
“I’m proud to see the government acting swiftly, setting higher standards, ensuring more reliable repairs, and putting families back at the heart of defence policy.”
The homes were returned to public ownership earlier this year as part of a government deal expected to save £600,000 per day nationally by ending rental payments to private landlords.
This announcement forms part of a wider commitment to the Armed Forces. In February, the Prime Minister confirmed a historic increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and the Labour government has already delivered the largest pay rise for service personnel in over 20 years.
A full Defence Housing Strategy will be published later this year, setting out further detail and ensuring that improvements continue to be delivered in partnership with forces families.