Yes, but by 2010 only ten percent of housing will be government-owned or leased.  More and more military members and their families are drawing housing allowances and living in private sector housing or in military installation housing that has been privatized. 

Yes, but by 2010 only ten percent of housing will be government-owned or leased.  More and more military members and their families are drawing housing allowances and living in private sector housing or in military installation housing that has been privatized. 

DoD programs and policies focus on ensuring that military families find adequate, safe, accessible, and affordable housing.  The goal is to provide a total housing solution that includes a number of valuable programs and resources:

• Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) - The Service branches use different names for their privatization programs, but the programs are all part of an overall DoD initiative to improve existing units and increase the availability of adequate, safe housing through public-private partnerships.  Under MHPI, private developers renovate or replace old, substandard military housing and, in some cases, build additional units.  The developers then become the owners and managers of those properties and the landlords for the military families in those homes.  The owners must meet certain requirements for maintaining the properties and providing support services to their military tenants.  Early evaluations of the Initiative show significant improvements in installation housing as well as a significant increase in satisfaction among military families.
• Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN) - DoD and the Services are implementing an automated system that allows property managers/owners of rental properties in the community to post rental listings on the AHRN website.  The site allows Service members to do an on-line search for housing prior to arriving at a new duty station.
• Rental Partnership Program - In some communities, the Services have entered into partnerships with local property managers to set aside a certain number of units for military members who have enrolled in the program.  There are significant benefits to both the landlord and Service members through this program.  More information is available through the local Housing Office on each installation.  Contact information for housing offices can be found through MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.
• Government-owned or leased military housing (or military family housing) - These units are usually on or near a military installation and are owned and maintained by DoD.  When privatization of military housing is complete, only a few installations will continue to offer government-owned military housing, though it is likely that overseas locations will continue to provide this form of housing for some time.
• Housing allowances - Tax free allowances, such as Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), overseas Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA), Move-in Housing Allowance for overseas assignments, and Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE), are paid in the United States and overseas to cover the cost of housing in the private sector.  Detailed information about these allowances is provided in the Housing Benefits and Entitlements section of this website.
• Single or unaccompanied member housing - Unmarried Service members and married members who are separated from their families for service-related reasons may be required to live in unaccompanied housing.  Sometimes called barracks, dormitories, or bachelor quarters, this type of housing usually consists of a single or shared room with a private or shared bath.  Although these quarters may eventually become privatized, most unaccompanied housing is owned and managed by DoD.

DoD programs and policies focus on ensuring that military families find adequate, safe, accessible, and affordable housing.  The goal is to provide a total housing solution that includes a number of valuable programs and resources:

• Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) - The Service branches use different names for their privatization programs, but the programs are all part of an overall DoD initiative to improve existing units and increase the availability of adequate, safe housing through public-private partnerships.  Under MHPI, private developers renovate or replace old, substandard military housing and, in some cases, build additional units.  The developers then become the owners and managers of those properties and the landlords for the military families in those homes.  The owners must meet certain requirements for maintaining the properties and providing support services to their military tenants.  Early evaluations of the Initiative show significant improvements in installation housing as well as a significant increase in satisfaction among military families.
• Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN) - DoD and the Services are implementing an automated system that allows property managers/owners of rental properties in the community to post rental listings on the AHRN website.  The site allows Service members to do an on-line search for housing prior to arriving at a new duty station.
• Rental Partnership Program - In some communities, the Services have entered into partnerships with local property managers to set aside a certain number of units for military members who have enrolled in the program.  There are significant benefits to both the landlord and Service members through this program.  More information is available through the local Housing Office on each installation.  Contact information for housing offices can be found through MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.
• Government-owned or leased military housing (or military family housing) - These units are usually on or near a military installation and are owned and maintained by DoD.  When privatization of military housing is complete, only a few installations will continue to offer government-owned military housing, though it is likely that overseas locations will continue to provide this form of housing for some time.
• Housing allowances - Tax free allowances, such as Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), overseas Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA), Move-in Housing Allowance for overseas assignments, and Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE), are paid in the United States and overseas to cover the cost of housing in the private sector.  Detailed information about these allowances is provided in the Housing Benefits and Entitlements section of this website.
• Single or unaccompanied member housing - Unmarried Service members and married members who are separated from their families for service-related reasons may be required to live in unaccompanied housing.  Sometimes called barracks, dormitories, or bachelor quarters, this type of housing usually consists of a single or shared room with a private or shared bath.  Although these quarters may eventually become privatized, most unaccompanied housing is owned and managed by DoD.

The main focus of the AHRN program is to provide updated listings and photos of available rental properties in the civilian community and in privatized installation housing.  In addition, the website offers the following features:

• Service members who own a home and would like to rent it to another military member may list it on the AHRN website.
• Service members who want to sell their homes without using a real estate agent (known as a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO)), may list the property on AHRN.  Properties that are already listed with a real estate agent may not be listed on AHRN by the owner or the agent.
• Service members who are looking for a roommate may post a notice on the website.
• Buyers and sellers can access expert real estate assistance from (non-agent) counselors through Military Moving Station.

The main focus of the AHRN program is to provide updated listings and photos of available rental properties in the civilian community and in privatized installation housing.  In addition, the website offers the following features:

• Service members who own a home and would like to rent it to another military member may list it on the AHRN website.
• Service members who want to sell their homes without using a real estate agent (known as a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO)), may list the property on AHRN.  Properties that are already listed with a real estate agent may not be listed on AHRN by the owner or the agent.
• Service members who are looking for a roommate may post a notice on the website.
• Buyers and sellers can access expert real estate assistance from (non-agent) counselors through Military Moving Station.

Military family housing properties were old and deteriorating.  The cost of renovation or new construction was prohibitive, and it made no sense for DoD to stay in the construction, maintenance, and management business when private developers had the experience and expertise to do the job faster, cheaper, and better.  The DoD Military Housing Privatization Initiative created partnerships with private developers and is now leveraging limited funds and gaining industry expertise in renovating, constructing, and maintaining military housing.  Developers invest private capital and in return have solid earning potential.  Most important, military families get updated, repaired, or newly constructed homes that will be maintained for the next fifty years.

Military family housing properties were old and deteriorating.  The cost of renovation or new construction was prohibitive, and it made no sense for DoD to stay in the construction, maintenance, and management business when private developers had the experience and expertise to do the job faster, cheaper, and better.  The DoD Military Housing Privatization Initiative created partnerships with private developers and is now leveraging limited funds and gaining industry expertise in renovating, constructing, and maintaining military housing.  Developers invest private capital and in return have solid earning potential.  Most important, military families get updated, repaired, or newly constructed homes that will be maintained for the next fifty years.

Yes.  Since the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is a partnership program, the developer/owners must meet certain requirements for maintaining the properties and providing support services to their military tenants. 

Yes.  Since the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is a partnership program, the developer/owners must meet certain requirements for maintaining the properties and providing support services to their military tenants. 

The approval rates of privatized military housing are very high.  Early evaluations show significant improvements in the housing as well as a significant increase in satisfaction among military families.

The approval rates of privatized military housing are very high.  Early evaluations show significant improvements in the housing as well as a significant increase in satisfaction among military families.

The short answer is that military families will start paying soon if they are not paying it already.  Most of the Services have begun requiring the tenant to pay his or her own bill, though some still simply include a pro-rated estimate in the overall rental cost.  The good news is that housing allowance rates are intended to cover utilities. 

The short answer is that military families will start paying soon if they are not paying it already.  Most of the Services have begun requiring the tenant to pay his or her own bill, though some still simply include a pro-rated estimate in the overall rental cost.  The good news is that housing allowance rates are intended to cover utilities. 

Each developer or property manager is responsible for maintaining the property. Residents must work through their community housing manager to address maintenance and repair issues. The developer is also required to provide a renter's insurance package.

Each developer or property manager is responsible for maintaining the property. Residents must work through their community housing manager to address maintenance and repair issues. The developer is also required to provide a renter's insurance package.

No.  In most cases, military members can decide for themselves whether they want to live on or off the installation (with some exceptions because of job requirements).  Many military families want to live on the installation for that sense of community, as well as the convenience of being close to work.  The improvements of privatized housing have made the idea even more attractive to military families.

No.  In most cases, military members can decide for themselves whether they want to live on or off the installation (with some exceptions because of job requirements).  Many military families want to live on the installation for that sense of community, as well as the convenience of being close to work.  The improvements of privatized housing have made the idea even more attractive to military families.

No.  There are some places where government housing is the only answer, but by 2014 the majority of military housing will be privatized.  There are now initiatives beginning to privatize single or unaccompanied housing.  The Navy was authorized to begin three unaccompanied housing privatization projects in 2003.  The leasing process would be the same as it is in privatized family housing.  The effort is still in the early stages.

No.  There are some places where government housing is the only answer, but by 2014 the majority of military housing will be privatized.  There are now initiatives beginning to privatize single or unaccompanied housing.  The Navy was authorized to begin three unaccompanied housing privatization projects in 2003.  The leasing process would be the same as it is in privatized family housing.  The effort is still in the early stages.

The Services can require members to reside on the installation for several reasons, including military readiness requirements, training requirements, or the need for full occupancy of unaccompanied housing.  When a Service member elects to move off of the installation without authorization from the chain of command, neither Basic Allowance for Housing nor the food allowance continue to be paid.  The occupancy rate in dorms and barracks must exceed ninety-five percent before off installation moves can be authorized.  When these moves can be authorized, the opportunity is usually offered to the higher ranking single or unaccompanied members.

The Services can require members to reside on the installation for several reasons, including military readiness requirements, training requirements, or the need for full occupancy of unaccompanied housing.  When a Service member elects to move off of the installation without authorization from the chain of command, neither Basic Allowance for Housing nor the food allowance continue to be paid.  The occupancy rate in dorms and barracks must exceed ninety-five percent before off installation moves can be authorized.  When these moves can be authorized, the opportunity is usually offered to the higher ranking single or unaccompanied members.

The Services call their unaccompanied housing by different names (e.g., barracks, dormitories, bachelor enlisted, or bachelor officer quarters), but they all serve the same function.  This type of housing is currently being upgraded through renovation or new construction.

The Services call their unaccompanied housing by different names (e.g., barracks, dormitories, bachelor enlisted, or bachelor officer quarters), but they all serve the same function.  This type of housing is currently being upgraded through renovation or new construction.