Grantham: Housing Surgery

Next Housing Surgery at the HIVE Community Centre, Building 162, Thursday 18th December, 1030 - 1230. All welcome!

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Weeton: Christmas 2025 Refuse & Recycling Collection Date Changes

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Blandford: Welfare/contact house short term use accommodation

Click on poster above to enlarge

As of January 2026, there are some new prices.

£40 per night for a minimum of 2 nights.

Weekend rates Friday to Monday morning £100.

Full weeks are £225.

A full review of costs will take place at the end of April.

For booking enquiries and to check availability email:

 BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk or call 01258 481938

Information provided by Bovington HIVE via BGSU Welfare team

Civilian Housing Options Briefings – 2026 Dates

To register for a Briefing, and provide your details please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing

For more information on MoD Veterans Services support for Service Leavers and their families please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

The Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) to be made permanent from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) will become a permanent waiver for eligible Service personnel (SP) and outdated waivers based on marriage and age will be retired.

First introduced in March 2024 the DAW was designed to support home ownership and replace older SLA waivers. The DAW supports eligible SP to use Single Living Accommodation (SLA) free of charge, providing they maintain a separate home elsewhere in the UK.

What are the key changes from 1 April 2026?

• Enduring Policy: On 1 April 2026 the DAW will go from a temporary waiver to a permanent waiver, ensuring long-term support for eligible Service personnel.

• Removal of outdated Waivers: Waivers for SLA charges based on marital status and age will be retired, promoting fairness and consistency. Regular and Full Time Reserve Services Full Commitment (FTRS FC) Service Personnel receiving outdated waivers will automatically go onto DAW – no action needed.

• Updated Eligibility Criteria: To ensure efficient use of SLA, eligibility rules have been updated. Service personnel must maintain a UK home outside daily commuting distance, and provide annual evidence to HR.

• New Applicants: If you are not currently using DAW but believe you are eligible, please contact your Unit HR directly.

• Full eligibility details are set out in latest news on Defence accommodation policy - GOV.UK

Catterick: Garrison Welfare/Contact House

 Information provided by North HIVE Hub

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 04 December 25

Tackling Damp and Mould 

Over the last few years we have made substantial progress in tackling damp and mould that has been reported to us. Condensation is usually the biggest cause of damp within homes, and we know this often increases in colder months of the year. There are 4 key steps that you can take to prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home. 

Please read our helpful guide to preventing condensation, damp and mould in your homes here. 

 

Report it  

If you discover damp and mould, including any recurring issues, please report it straight away so that we can resolve the issue promptly. You can do this in the following ways:  

 

• Complete the dedicated Damp and Mould report form on the Pinnacle website.  

• Call Pinnacle on 0800 0318628, selecting option 1, then option 4.  

• Chat to Pinnacle online, you can do this by selecting the chat option on Pinnacle website.  

 

Our commitment   

Awaab’s Law, which took effect in October 2025, requires social landlords to address all damp and mould hazards within fixed timeframes. While we are not bound by this legislation, DIO has voluntarily committed to upholding the standards expected of a responsible landlord and our response times to damp and mould reports in UK SFA have been adjusted.  

 

When you contact Pinnacle, our teams will assess the severity of the problem, on a scale from level 1 to 5, with 5 considered the most severe. Pinnacle will then coordinate with Amey/VIVO to begin their investigation to address the issue.  

 

• Levels 1-3: Amey/VIVO will respond within 10 working days.  
• Levels 4-5 (highest priority): Amey/VIVO will respond within 48 hours, and families will be offered temporary accommodation during the investigation.  

 

If we cannot fully complete the required work after investigation, we will provide the family with a written summary within three days, outlining completed tasks and any remaining work.  

If you have any queries related to damp and mould, please contact Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628. You can find further information about seasonal safety advice on Defence Homes.   

Scotland: Pinnacle Housing Officer

Find the contact details of your Housing officer here 👉 Your Housing Officer - Pinnacle Service Families

Alternatively you can ring 0800 031 8628 and choose option 4 to get the information over the phone.

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Victory Services Club latest newsletter - The VSC is Sparkling for Christmas!

The latest newsletter from the Victory Services Club is now available to view online at this LINK

To find out more about Christmas celebrations at the VSC, please visit: Christmas at the VSC is here! - Victory Services Club

MHLO West Midlands and Staffordshire: JSP 464 Confirmation: Process for Leaving/Moving Out of SFA:

3.6.1.1 Pre-move out advisory visit. It is a mandatory requirement that a pre-move out advisory visit takes place up to 2 months before the expected date of vacation.

In order to provide sufficient time for families to prepare for the Move Out appointment, and to allow the Industry Partner the opportunity to schedule enhanced works that may be required, it is essential recommended that the visit is at least 30 working days before a booked or potential Move Out. It is the Service Licensee’s responsibility to arrange the date of the visit with the IPHD. The IPHD is to seek assistance from the Local Service Commander in cases where it proves difficult for Service reasons to arrange a visit.

Please find guidance for best practice :SP/Families are to Communicate early with Pinnacle (Visa/Versa) to secure Pre-Move Out bookings. (As soon as your SP receives new assignment order / Pinnacle receive an application to move – prompt to book PMO)
Please see JSP464 policy for more information.

SP/Pinnacle attempt resolution by adjusting move-in or securing an earlier PMO.
If unresolved, book the earliest appointment outside 30 working days.

Concerns about dual charges: you can challenge charges once received or submit a complaint via Customer Solutions (CS). 

Information provided: Central HIVE Hub

DIO Families First Newsletter for SFA Occupants – Issue 32 Out Now

Issue 32 of DIO’s Families First newsletter, dated 28 Nov, is now available to view online or download on the Defence Homes website. Previous issues can also be accessed via the same link.

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 01 December 25

Rapid Refurbishments to Service Family Accommodation

Service families’ homes across the UK are being upgraded as part of improvement works to rapidly raise the standards of military accommodation. DIO is on track to deliver on our commitment to carry out targeted renovations to 1,000 homes before the end of 2025.

Refurbishment and upgrade works are already well underway at many locations across the UK including over 100 homes in Wales, over 50 in Scotland and over 150 in Northern Ireland, with immediate priority being given to the homes most in need.

Refurbishment works will vary from site-to-site but will focus on fixing unreliable boilers and heating systems, repairing leaky roofs, eliminating damp and mould, and upgrading electrics and plumbing.

These upgrades form part of the delivery of commitments made in the SFA Consumer Charter earlier this year. This is only the beginning of a decade- long improvement in military accommodation that has been set out in the recently published Defence Housing Strategy. With over £9bn worth of investment in the next ten years, more than 40,000 service family homes will be modernised, refurbished or rebuilt.

View the heatmap of some of the locations where upgrades are taking place across the UK and hear more about the impact of works already underway here.

Bovington: Garrison coffee morning & DIO housing surgery restarts in the New Year

If you have any housing issues or concerns, please use this opportunity to come along and speak in person to a housing representative from Pinnacle/Vivo. Appointments are not necessary, just drop in. 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Weeton / Fylde: Council Transforms Waste Collections from Autumn 2026

Major Boost for Fylde’s Recycling as Council Transforms Waste Collections to Protect Environment

Fylde residents will soon benefit from a revolutionary transformation of waste and recycling services that will dramatically reduce environmental impact while making recycling easier than ever before.

From Autumn 2026, the grey and brown bins outside every home will switch roles in an innovative move approved by Tuesday’s Executive Committee. Residents will use their existing grey bins for paper and card recycling, benefiting from the extra capacity, while general waste moves to the brown bins.

This transformation arrives alongside weekly food waste collections, with every household receiving dedicated kitchen and outdoor caddies. The third of bin contents that’s actually food scraps will be transformed into renewable energy instead of harming our environment in landfill.

The changes, backed by over £1 million in government funding, mean Fylde can boost recycling rates from 40% towards the national 65% target without expensive new bins or reducing collection frequency.

Councillor Michelle Morris, Lead Member for Customer and Operational Services, said: “This smart bin swap is a win-win for our community. By simply switching which bin we use for what, we’ll dramatically increase recycling capacity while reducing general waste – a fantastic transformation that benefits everyone.”

Clear guidance and support will be provided to every household ahead of the changes, ensuring that all residents feel confident about this positive transformation for Fylde’s future.

To stay up to date with food waste collections, visit our dedicated webpage.

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

(source - News from Fylde Council)

Colerne: Vivo and Pinnacle housing clinic - Thu 27 Nov

 

Reps from Pinnacle will also be in attendance.

Please use this opportunity to speak to the team and raise any concerns or chase outstanding jobs.

Can't attend? Please email rc-pers-hive-colerne-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk who will take your concerns forward.

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

Colerne: Welfare facilities booking request form - Colerne Station

 

The following facilities can currently be booked by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below:

• Welfare house / flat
• Community Centre
• Soft Play
• Noah's Ark family pass

Welfare facilities booking request form

(To check availability first, please check the Google calendar: Welfare facilities Google calendar)

Please note these facilities can be used by any Service Personnel or their family working on Colerne Station (21 Sigs, 13 Sigs, etc.) or living in SFA in Colerne

To find out more about Welfare's facilities, please click the link below to visit the Sway info page:

Colerne Station Welfare Sway info page

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

Blandford: Garrison housing issues - Wednesday drop in session 17th Dec

1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month, 0900-1200hrs. At the Pinnacle Office located in the Estates Building, Murdos Road, Blandford Camp.

If you have any issues regarding your Service Family Accommodation and would like to speak to someone face-to-face, pop along, no appointment necessary.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

New Defence Housing Strategy published

 
Defence Housing Strategy

Following an announcement by Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP this afternoon, we are delighted to share the new Defence Housing Strategy.

Independently led by a team of experts and driven by the input of more than 6,000 service families, the strategy sets out the most significant change for Armed Forces housing in over 50 years. It marks the start of a fully costed ten-year programme to reshape, redevelop and modernise the Defence housing estate to best meet the realities of modern service family life.

We have summarised some of the key changes set out in the strategy for you and your family below:

Redevelopment and modernisation of UK SFA

• Every service family deserves a home they can be proud of. This transformation will create thousands of high-quality homes, supporting our Armed Forces and their families for decades to come.  
• We will be giving over 40,000 military homes a makeover – new kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems to ensure you have what you need for comfortable modern living.  14,000 of these homes will be substantially refurbished or replaced.
• Rapid improvements are already underway through a Consumer Charter for Forces Families introduced earlier this year. New and upgraded military homes will meet modern property standards comparable to the best professional housing organisations, ensuring they are warm, spacious and of high quality.

Chatham: Vivo Housing Surgery, Tuesday and Thursday mornings

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Dreghorn: Pinnacle drop-in sessions, Tuesdays 1300-1500

click on image to enlarge

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE