"there will be alot of unhappy/irate ex cadets in a few years"
How can they be irate if they have never been promised (in writing) a housing allowance or other benefits?
Like with any job, if something is not specifically mentioned in your contract, you cannot assume entitlement to it.
I agree, best of luck to the applicants, they should just remember that they have not been promised (in writing) these benefits, and to make the move to an extremely expensive city with the assumption that they will get benefits that are not in their contract is a dangerous thing.
However many of the applicants seem to accept they will not get the housing allowance but still believe it is worth it, so all the best to them. Go in with fully open eyes.