MORE than 130 properties will be made available to Armed Forces families in Aldershot.

A total of 134 homes in Aldershot can now be used following the programme of extensive refurbishment of long-term ‘void’ houses, which launched in September last year and has been funded by investment from the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The programme of works has allowed the MOD to significantly increase the number of high-quality homes available to service families.

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Corporal Tom Amponsah-Dadzie, who serves with the Royal Logistic Corps, has recently moved into one of the new properties in Aldershot. He said: “This new home is one of the best places I have ever lived in - I can’t express the reaction on the face of my wife when she saw the house for the first time. 

"She couldn’t stop talking about it, she took so many pictures of everywhere. But not only her, my Army friends when they come to visit always ask if this is a military house. They keep thinking it’s a newly purchased home.

“On a personal level, living in a house like this brings excitement and peace to my life. Coming home makes me happy. The house allows me to sleep well at night and gives me peace of mind during the day so I can carry out my job effectively."

The houses that have benefited from the refurbishments were previously deemed uninhabitable, primarily due to their age and condition.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working alongside contractors VIVO Defence Services and Amey, has carried out the works with funds prioritised for accommodation, allocated through last year’s Defence Command Paper Refresh.

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All the properties in Aldershot have undergone the extensive work needed to bring them back to the required standard. Works varied from new kitchens and bathrooms to new boilers carpets and curtains.

A number of properties have had a full refurbishment, including rewiring, new heating, new doors and windows, internal redecoration work and external work to outside spaces.

All completed houses are now warm, comfortable, safe, more energy efficient and, most importantly, available to military personnel and their families.