Thousands of military homes across the UK will be renovated, modernised, or completely rebuilt over the next decade under a new £9bn government initiative aimed at improving

accommodation for service personnel.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says the strategy will deliver upgrades to nearly all 47,700 homes for military families—an effort Defence Secretary John Healey describes as the largest overhaul of Armed Forces housing in more than half a century.

The programme follows years of complaints from service members who have reported living in damp, mould-ridden homes, often without reliable heating. In 2022, multiple families told the BBC they were forced to endure such conditions for extended periods.

A parliamentary defence committee later found that two-thirds of service family properties required major refurbishment or complete rebuilding to meet modern living standards.

Under the new plan, Service Family Accommodation (SFA) will receive updated kitchens, bathrooms, and heating systems. Around 14,000 homes will undergo significant refurbishment or be replaced entirely.

This initiative is part of a broader defence housing strategy set to be released on Monday. The government had already committed £4bn to address longstanding accommodation issues.

Ministers also say they have identified surplus MoD land that could be used for up to 100,000 new homes for both military and civilian families.

Calling the strategy a “new chapter,” Healey said it marks a decisive shift from years of underinvestment and will support military families while boosting economic growth.

Nearly three years ago, families in Sandhurst contacted the BBC after going days without heating, saying the system was “broken.” Although the MoD said it was working with contractors to resolve problems, a report published in December found that many issues remained unresolved.

The report criticised past policy, noting it was “shocking” that families had previously been housed in properties known to contain damp and mould.

Last year, the MoD announced plans to buy back 36,347 military homes from Annington Homes for nearly £6bn—undoing a 1996 privatisation deal. The department said the move would save millions in rent and maintenance costs, allowing more funds to be directed toward improving military accommodation.