Wednesday, January 24, 2024

DIO: Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update

XL Bully dogs in SFA

XL Bully dogs have been added to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence for anyone, including SFA residents, to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption. Further details on preparing for the ban can be found here.

Families living in SFA who own an XL Bully dog must re-submit a pet request form alongside a copy of their Certificate of Exemption to Pinnacle no later than 31 January 2024.

Afghan Relocation and Resettlement policy (ARAP)


The UK Government has made a commitment to resettle Afghan nationals who worked for, or alongside, the British Armed Forces in support of the UK's mission in Afghanistan. 

The Ministry of Defence owes a debt of gratitude to these Afghan nationals and their families and is therefore contributing to cross-Government efforts to house those who are eligible under the Afghan Relocation and Resettlement policy (ARAP) to the UK.

Currently, there are over 200 ARAP families living in Service Family Accommodation and it is expected that there will be many more moving into previously void SFA over the coming months and years.

New Accommodation Offer Update

Whilst the New Accommodation Offer policy will not come into effect until 11 March 2024, the draft of the new JSP 464 ‘Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations’ is being shared now so that Service personnel, their families and partners have access to detailed policy information to help inform any future accommodation decisions they may be making.

The JSP will be re-issued as ‘live’ policy on 11 March 2024 to replace the current version of JSP 464.

Parts 1 to 8 of the draft JSP are available HERE.

Parts 9 to 11 will cover Forces Help to Buy, the Combined Accommodation Assessment System for SFA and Four-Tier Grading for SLA – these are not being released now as the policy remains the same as under the current regulations.

Part 12 will cover the complaints processes which will be published when the new policy comes into effect.


Read the Draft JSP: HERE


For any question about the changes to policy contact the Accommodation Support Cell: People-Accom-ASC@mod.gov.uk