On 1 Apr 07 Defence Housing launched a network of 7 Housing Information Centres (HICs) across Great Britain – in, from north to south, Rosyth, York, Telford, Thetford, High Wycombe, Aldershot and Warminster. The HICs will replace the service currently provided through local housing offices and provide the single point of contact - a one-stop shop - for all housing services other than repairs and maintenance. Staff in the HICs will allocate houses, arrange moves in and out, arrange pre move out visits and handle any general enquiries about Service housing in England, Scotland and Wales. They will also be able to deal with questions on whether a service is provided by your PFI provider, the Local Authority, MHS or, for drainage issues, project Aquatrine. But please remember that for repairs and maintenance you should continue to call your Helpdesk (MHS for England and- Wales, Amec Turner in Scotland, or your repairs provider if you are in PFI).

The big difference you will notice is that instead of having to visit a local housing office, you will simply need to call the HIC network through a single national number - 0800 169 6322. The HICs will be open from 0800 to 1630 hours, Monday to Friday, and be manned by experienced DE housing staff. If your enquiry is of a general nature it will be routed to the first available person at any of the 7 HICs. This is because general enquiries - such as the implications of leaving your Service or learning about your entitlement to housing - can be answered by any of our staff wherever they are. But if your call is specific to a particular location - such as the need to arrange a move in or out - you will need to select the relevant HIC from the options offered. . When calling please listen carefully to the instructions you will hear.

At present calling a local housing office often results in leaving a message because Housing Officers are out on the estate. The HIC concept will remove this frustration and allow us to provide a more effective service because your call will be answered - provided you ring between 0800 and 1630. It also means that Housing Officers will be able to spend more time out on the estate, with you, rather than sitting in offices and they will still attend surgeries and Occupant Consultative Meetings (OCMs) as at present. We have been trialling this new system in Scotland for some time now; we have learned a number of lessons and it is working well.

Please remember:

Call 0800 169 6322 because your local housing office will no longer be able to deal with your call. For repairs and maintenance, continue to call your Helpdesk.

WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE?

The properties on RAF Leeming and in Leeming Bar are of a very good standard, providing attractive and comfortable accommodation. The open plan fronts and enclosed rear gardens of the properties enhance the attractiveness of estates and preserve the privacy of occupants. Safe and well-maintained play areas for children are dotted throughout the Station and are in close proximity to homes.

At the rear of this booklet there are photographs of the various areas and a map, so that you can identify roads and estates. There is a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houset. Below each photograph there is a brief description of the attributes of properties on these estates i.e. full central heating, UPVc windows etc. The photographs give a clearer picture of what to expect when you receive your address.

WHO DECIDES WHERE WE WILL LIVE?

DE Ops (Housing) decided where people will live, based on the size of family, or rank or officers, choice of area and availability of properties.

WHAT SIZE OF PROPERTY AM I ENTITLED TO?

Entitlement to Service Families Accommodation is laid down within the Tri Service Accommodation Regulations.

You may ask for a larger house than you are entitled to, and if there are available properties you may be offered above your entitlement. However, you will be required to pay the higher rent.