New homes for military families are set to become a central pillar of service life in the UK, as the Ministry of Defence (MOD) prepares to build its first batch of forces housing in nearly a decade.
Construction is about to begin on 265 new homes at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, marking the MOD’s first major new-build housing project since 2017. The development, located in nearby Carterton, will include a mix of houses, flats and bungalows designed to support service families.
The announcement forms part of a broader push to improve living conditions for Armed Forces personnel. Over the next year alone, around 2,000 military homes across the UK are set to undergo upgrades, adding to the 1,250 of the most deteriorated properties that have already been brought up to standard.
Officials say the programme reflects growing urgency to address long-standing issues in military housing, particularly as service members continue to face demanding operational commitments worldwide. Improved housing is also seen as a key factor in boosting recruitment and retention across the Armed Forces.
The government’s plans go beyond construction and refurbishment. Around 1,000 additional families who previously lacked access to military housing are expected to receive homes this year, part of a wider effort to expand eligibility.
This initiative sits within the government’s long-term Defence Housing Strategy, backed by £9 billion in funding over the next decade. The programme aims to modernise, refurbish or rebuild more than 40,000 service family homes—representing the most significant transformation of military housing in over half a century.
He said that as demands on military personnel increase, providing decent homes is essential to supporting both service members and their families. The Brize Norton development, he added, signals a broader effort to reverse years of underinvestment.
The housing push follows a major government deal to return 36,000 military homes to public ownership, a move expected to save taxpayers approximately £600,000 per day in rental costs.
Alongside physical improvements, the MOD has introduced new measures to ensure families have a stronger voice in housing decisions. A dedicated committee, including representatives from across the Armed Forces and family federations, has been established to influence policy at every level.
The housing programme is underpinned by a wider increase in defence spending, with the UK set to allocate 2.6% of GDP to defence by 2027. Total defence spending is projected to reach £270 billion over the current parliamentary term.
Together, these efforts signal a renewed commitment to improving the everyday lives of military families—placing housing at the heart of defence policy for years to come.
