Pinnacle Service Families: Latest Accommodation Updates including the next Virtual Outreach Day on 10 June

HomeHub reaches 2,000 families
HomeHub – the new online platform designed to support Service families in reporting and tracking housing repairs – has now reached over 2,000 registrations.
To register for HomeHub, families will first need to register for a One Login account. They can do this on the Government’s One Login Website. Every member of the household will need to register for a One Login account and HomeHub account using their own personal details.
For further information visit www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/homehub
*Please note that the HomeHub is unavailable 20–26 May while Pinnacle carry out updates. During this time, you can still report or track logged repairs via Pinnacle 
Tel : 0800 031 8628
Contact Us - Pinnacle Service Families

Summer Tips campaign now live
Pinnacle’s 2026 Summer Tips social campaign is now live, offering timely, practical advice to support Service families as we head into the warmer months. Running throughout May and June, the campaign helps families prepare their homes, stay safe in hot weather and avoid common seasonal issues.
The posts cover a wide range of summer themes - from keeping homes safe and well‑maintained to managing outdoor spaces and preventing warm‑weather risks inside and outside the property. Each message reinforces our 24/7 helpdesk number so families know exactly where to turn if they need support.
All of this year’s tips can be viewed on the PSF website here.

Our next virtual outreach day
We are inviting all Service Family Accommodation (SFA) residents to join our next Virtual Outreach Day on Wednesday 10th June 2026. This online event is a valuable opportunity for families to connect directly with our support teams via Microsoft Teams, from the comfort of their own homes. 
Whether families are dealing with a tricky repair, have questions about allocations, or simply want to better understand the services available to them, the outreach day is designed to provide tailored assistance and guidance. These sessions are part of Pinnacle’s broader initiative to ensure military families have multiple, accessible ways to get the support they need. 
Booking is now open and can be done easily here.  

Grantham: Housing Surgery

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

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

Blandford: Garrison housing drop in sessions - Wed 20th May, Wed 3rd & 17th June

If you are experiencing any issues or have concerns with your service families accommodation and would like to speak to someone in person, you're welcome to drop in to the Pinnacle housing office on Mudros Road. (Blandford Camp), no appointment necessary.

Housing drop in is 1st & 3rd Wednesday of every month. 0900 - 1200hrs.

You can also report an issue with your SFA by calling 0800 031 8628 or send an email to hello@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk 

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

 

Penicuik: Pinnacle Housing drop-in Fri 29th May 10:00-12:00

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Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Haverfordwest: Pinnacle & Amey Housing Surgery on Thursday 28th May

 

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Bovington: Garrison contact houses for short term accommodation use

To check availability or to book click HERE

or email Tel: 01929 402239 during office hours

For all bookings, a £50 deposit will be required within 7 days of making the booking and the full balance is to be paid 28 days prior to stay. The rate is set at £50 per night for the first three nights, then £25 per night thereafter.

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Defence Update on Long-term relationships: Closing the gap on allowances

Long-term relationships: Closing the gap on allowances

If you’re in a long-term relationship, a range of allowances and support are now available to you – the same as your married or civil-partnered colleagues.

What’s changed?

Many allowances were only available to Service Personnel who were married or in a civil partnership. That wasn’t fair – not everyone wants to get married, even when they’re in a committed relationship.

From 1 May 2026, if you are in a Long-Term Relationship (Established) – known as an LTR(E) – you can claim allowances and provisions that were previously unavailable to you, just like your married colleagues.

Sarah Houghton, Director Armed Forces People Policy said:
“This is a real step forward for our people and their families. Around 20,000 Service Personnel are set to benefit – with those in long-term relationships being treated the same way as married colleagues, for ten allowances.”

Which allowances and provisions are affected?

The following are now available to Service Personnel in an LTR(E):

• Disturbance Expense (DE)
• Duty Travel
• Get You Home (Travel)
• Home to Duty Travel
• HM Forces Railcards
• Longer Separation Allowance (LSA)
• MOD Passport provisions
• Movement and Storage of Personal Effects (MSPE)
• Subsistence

This means, for example, that when you move home for service reasons, you can now claim expenses that reflect your real situation living with a partner – rather than being treated as single.

HM Forces Railcards and MOD-provided UK passports for service travel can also be extended to your partner, where eligibility criteria are met.

Are there still some allowances not covered?

Lichfield: DIO SFA Impact Day - 21 May

Information supplied by:Central HIVE Hub

 

Scotland: Housing Options Scotland, Military Matters - understanding your housing options online briefing and Q&A Wed 13th May

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Links for internal use:

Housing Options for Members of the Armed Forces Community in Scotland Tickets, Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am GMT+1 | Eventbrite

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 29 April 2026

Damage Charges process

DIO is introducing changes to the damage charges process to make this process simpler for you and your family upon Move-Out.

·From 1st May 2026, on the day you move out, your Housing Officer will provide a formal notification via email. This will include your move-out form, details of any charges incurred and information of how raise a dispute if needed.

· We have also extended the review timeframe for charges. You will now have 30 days to assess the charges and, if necessary, initiate a Stage 1 dispute. Recovery actions will not begin until this 30-day period has passed.

· If a dispute is raised, any recovery action will be paused until the issue has been fully resolved. Pinnacle will continue to handle Stage 1 disputes and DIO will continue to manage Stage 2 disputes.

These changes aim to ensure you are provided with clear details on the day of Move-Out and sufficient time to review everything before any further action is taken, if required.

For families who move out before 1st May 2026, formal notifications will continue to be issued under the current process. We appreciate your patience while we work through these remaining cases during the transition to the new system. 

New light pink shades added to Defence Homes colour palette

The Defence Homes Colour Palette has been updated following feedback from Service families, with five new light pink shades added. This update is part of our commitment to modernise outdated policies and give families greater freedoms to personalise their home. 

By choosing colours from within the Defence Homes Colour palette range, families can leave these at move out with no requirement to revert to white.   

If you are thinking about refreshing your home with a new coat of paint, you can start whenever you like – there is no need to ask for permission or to notify DIO, Amey/VIVO or Pinnacle.  

The updated palette does not specify paint brands or finishes (such as matt or silk), giving you the freedom to choose what works best for you. 

For more information and to view the full palette, click here.  

Notice to families using heating oil

Chatham: Vivo Housing Surgery, Tuesday and Thursday mornings

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

DIO Families Families First Newsletter - Issue 37 Published

The latest issue of the Families First newsletter, featuring the latest Defence housing news and updates, is now available to view and download on the Defence Homes website.

Brecon: Pinnacle & Amey Housing Surgery on the third Wednesday of the month at Dering Lines Community Centre, Brecon

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub

Scotland: Scottish Veterans Residences currently have spaces for Veterans at Rosendael, Dundee

A couple of rooms will soon be available to Veterans in our popular Dundee residence, Rosendael. 

The residence in is situated in large gardens in a quiet part of Broughty Ferry. Full catering is provided alongside practical and emotional support and a wide range of activities.

If you are a Veteran experiencing homelessness or know of one who is, then please get in touch using our online accommodation enquiry form (link below) and we will do all we can to help.

Enquiry form here: https://forms.office.com/e/pq18sjDGtz
Or you can call us 24/7 on 0300 131 6755

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE

Corsham: Vivo & Pinnacle Housing Surgery - Wed 6 May

 

On Wednesday 6th May, two local reps from Vivo and Pinnacle will be available for SP and families to talk to at MOD Corsham Community Centre on Portal Avenue in Rudloe (also known as Dandelion Coffee House).

If you have any issues you'd like to raise or discuss, please drop-in between 1000-1200.

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

Defence Survey: Share your views on Single Living Accommodation

This is an opportunity for you to share your views on Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and help shape the future of Defence accommodation.

The survey will close at 1700 Friday 8th May 2026. Defence wants to hear from all Service personnel regardless of whether you currently use SLA or not.

To complete the survey, please click here: 2026 Single Living Accommodation Survey.

The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. It is entirely anonymous. We will not be collecting any personal information or sharing your responses with your Chain of Command.

Shropshire Armed Forces Outreach Sessions - April/May 2026

Information provided by: Central HIVE Hub

Blandford: Garrison Carpet cleaner hire

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Blandford: Welfare/contact house short term use accommodation

Click on poster above to enlarge

£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

Dual Accommodation Waiver – Information update on changes effective from 1 Apr 26

The Defence Accommodation Policy team have provided updated information on the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) in line with changes that took effect from 1 Apr 2026.

Dual Accommodation Waiver applies to Service Personnel who live in SLA during the week as their Residence at Work Address and can also evidence a Privately Maintained Property, family home or formally retained Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the UK.

The policy changes relate to timelines for claims, including backdating. This new information is available within the following Sway: Dual Accommodation Waiver Explained (Previously Extended SLA Waiver)

JSP references and key points of contact are included in the Sway for further enquiries, and HIVE can also be contacted for further information.