AFF Big Survey – Future Accommodation Model (FAM)

Abstract: AFF surveyed Army personnel and families to ask about their views on communication of FAM. There were 3,284 responses to the survey. Cost cutting – Families expressed frustration that FAM was being implemented for cost cutting reasons. Loss of patch support – Families are very concerned at the loss of the informal ‘patch’ welfare network, providing crucial support to mobile families with a unique lifestyle; as well as resulting in a negative impact on unit cohesion and operational effectiveness. ‘The Offer’ – There was concern that the implementation of FAM would have a significant negative impact on the offer, which would result in a detrimental impact on recruitment and retention. Entitlement – Some families felt FAM could offer a more progressive option to modern Army families, as it would extend entitlement to unmarried personnel. However, some families felt that widening entitlement was a mistake and that rank based housing should remain to ensure families live harmoniously. Private rental – Families highlighted fears about living in private rental, such as whether pets would be permitted, if there would be enough housing stock and security of tenure. Costs – There were also concerns about the impact of the cost of living outside SFA, with families stating that many key Army footprint areas have a very high cost of housing – both rental and purchasing their own house. They also felt that the removal of subsidised SFA could essentially be seen as a pay cut for personnel.