Background

A primary goal for the Department of Defense (DoD) is to assist military members and their families in finding safe, affordable housing, either through military-provided housing such as barracks and on-installation family housing, or in the surrounding community. Over the years, military housing initiatives have ranged from government-funded, owned, and operated housing to public-private partnerships. Today, DoD is taking a comprehensive approach to a total solution to meet the housing demand to include a number of valuable programs and resources.

Key Points

• Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI). Through this initiative, private developers renovate or replace old, substandard military housing and, in some cases, build additional units. The developers become the owners, managers, and landlords of those properties 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.
• Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN) This online system allows property managers/owners of rental properties in the community to post rental listings that service members can search to identify housing prior to arriving at a new duty station.
• Rental Partnership Program Through this program, local property managers agree to set aside a specified number of units for military members who have enrolled in the program.
• 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.
• 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 to cover or reduce the cost of housing in the private sector. The financial amount of these allowances can vary depending on rank, locality, and dependents.
• 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, also known as barracks, dormitories, or bachelor quarters.

Eligibility

Eligibility varies for each of the programs and initiatives. More information on eligibility requirements can be found at the installation Housing Office.

Availability

Availability also varies depending on the specific program or initiative. More information on program and initiative availability at specific installations can be found at the installation Housing Office.

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