IIRC about 20 years ago, the RN won an arguement for an 'Assisted House Purchase' scheme which granted an up-front sum for the deposit and a pay back arrangement based on time remaining in Service. There was lots of noise from the 'Navy News' prior to it's introduction, and when it was agreed it all went quiet - hardly surprising - as, unfairly, it was not extended to the Army or RAF. That's why 70% of fishheads own their own homes - nothing to do with salary or location
About 8 years ago 180 airmens qtrs were demolished on North Side at ISK
The DHE or whatever they call themselves this week claimed they had to reduce the stock holding and they were left with few choices
They would not release them to the local authority for fear of DHSS and Druggies moving in alongside Service people
They were worried squatters might move in
They had all been recently upgraded with double glazing and natural gas etc
Yet, they still decided the cheapest option was demolition to meet the reduction quota
The Stn Cdr had no say on this and what was happening to his estate
To date, there are another 80 Off Qtrs boarded up awaiting a local estate agent crook to arrange disposal
The office DHE occupy is the old Kinloss Farmhouse once used by the Families Officer, his assistant and 2 secretaries
Today, there are no less than 15 cars parked outside, including weekends and they now only manage half the estate - says it all