Overview

• Britain has relocated nearly 24 000 Afghan soldiers and their families under a £7 billion programme following a major data leak that threatened their safety.
• Afghans housed in transitional accommodation across Bracknell, Preston, Aberdeen, Cardiff, West Sussex and Yorkshire become eligible for council homes after nine months under asylum policy.
• Veterans say delays in accessing social housing under the Armed Forces Covenant have left some sleeping on friends’ sofas and feeling sidelined.
• The Ministry of Defence has scrapped local connection requirements for veterans, pledged an extra £3.5 million for homelessness services and launched Op Valour to coordinate support.
• UK social housing is under unprecedented strain, with record council waiting lists and 32 000 migrants in hotels costing £2.8 billion a year, fueling competition for scarce homes.