Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Housing Act 1996 (Additional Preference for Armed Forces) (England) Regulations 2012 and come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.

Amendment of section 166A(3) of the Housing Act 1996

2. Section 166A(3)( 3 ) of the Housing Act 1996 (Allocation in accordance with allocation scheme: England) is amended as follows—

(a) in the sentence following the end of paragraph (e) (beginning with “The scheme may also be framed”) for “people within this subsection” substitute “people within one or more of paragraphs (a) to (e)”;

(b) at the end of that sentence, insert–

“ The scheme must be framed so as to give additional preference to a person with urgent housing needs who falls within one or more of paragraphs (a) to (e) and who –

(i) is serving in the regular forces and is suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable (wholly or partly) to the person’s service,

(ii) formerly served in the regular forces,

(iii) has recently ceased, or will cease to be entitled, to reside in accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence following the death of that person’s spouse or civil partner who has served in the regular forces and whose death was attributable (wholly or partly) to that service, or

(iv) is serving or has served in the reserve forces and is suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable (wholly or partly) to the person’s service.

For this purpose “the regular forces” and “the reserve forces” have the meanings given by section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 ( 4 ) . ” .