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REFERRAL AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE |
Developing a sense of community here starts before you arrive at JWC/426 ABS. We recognize the efforts behind this transition and want to make sure you are satisfied with the details of your move. To obtain Referral and Relocation Assistance, we encourage you to reach out for personalized services provided by the Housing Management Office (HMO) staff.
Planning Your Move
Moving to an overseas location requires additional planning to make sure you and your family are prepared for the transition. There are many things you can do before you arrive to ensure the process to get settled in your new home and community is seamless.
Coordinate with your sponsor to apply for a D-number, you will need this to sign a lease, open a bank account etc.
Oversized Furniture
Due to the size of Norwegian homes we do not recommend shipping oversized furniture. Many bedrooms are small, have a sloped roof and narrow staircase leading to the second floor.
Lodging
All temporary lodging is in local hotels. Ask your sponsor or contact the housing office for a hotel request form.
Power Requirements
The electrical current in Norway is 220 volts and 50 cycles as opposed to 110 volts and 60 cycles in the United States. Transformers for use with small electrical appliances are available through the government Furnishings Management Office (FMO) and 220 volt appliances may also be purchased in the local Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) stores.
Departing service members often sell their used 220 volt appliances for a reasonable price. More information on products for each location can be found on the AAFES website.
Additional Questions?
If you have any questions or require additional support, please contact the HMO for more information about preparing for your move to this location.
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HOUSING ALLOWANCES |
Military members are entitled to various allowances to ensure the transition to a new location is as smooth and stress free as possible. If you have any questions about the allowances listed, please contact the HMO.
Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) and Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA)
For overseas areas only, individuals moving into community housing may be eligible for OHA and MIHA. Specific circumstances, conditions and requirements of OHA or MIHA are identified in the Joint Federal Travel Regulations.
These extra allowances are in place to off-set the higher costs of living in overseas communities. OHA is a reimbursement and based on actual expenses for rental and utility/recurring maintenance allowances. It is adjusted every pay period for changes in exchange rates.
Members are also authorized a one-time Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA). This allowance is provided for the purchase of supplemental items not normally available in foreign housing, but considered standard when renting in the community at U.S. locations such as window coverings, light fixtures, electricity connection, etc.
For more information about your OHA and MIHA, visit the Defense Travel Management Office website and for details about Security Deposits visit the 426th Air Base Squadron website.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
When you arrive at JWC/426 ABS, you will be staying in temporary accommodations until you move into permanent quarters. TLA is an entitlement to partially offset the more-than-normal expenses incurred during occupancy of temporary lodging.
Prior to your arrival, please work with your sponsor to secure temporary accommodations. All temporary lodging is in local hotels.
If permanent housing is not secured within 10 days, military members are required to report to the HMO every 10 days for a recertification of TLA. For TLA entitlements to be extended for the next 10 day period, you must be actively seeking adequate housing as the HMO requires a list of the housing units visited and the reason why they were not acceptable. Pet restrictions and preferred school districts do not qualify as reasons for non-acceptance of available housing.
For more information about TLA JWC/426 ABS, please contact the HMO at +47 51950577 DSN: (314) 224-0577
Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) / Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)
Civilian employees recruited from the U.S. are required to live in the local community and may be entitled to receive a Living Quarters Allowance (LQA). LQA is in addition to other allowances and, in most instances, covers most of the costs of housing, heat, electricity, trash, water, and sewer service. The maximum allowable rates depend on the location of the duty assignment, the grade of the employee and how many dependents are living with the employee.
It is important for individuals to know that LQA is a reimbursement and based on actual expenses. It is adjusted every pay period for changes in monetary exchange rates. For more information on LQA please visit the State Department website.
Financing Your Up-Front Move-In Cost
All service military members are entitled to a 100 percent advance of required up-front rent payments and security deposits. Service members must pay back the advanced rent in 12 monthly payments. They may request to have repayment of the security deposits over $500 suspended until termination of the rental contract. Upon termination of the contract the member is required to repay the full amount of the security advance.
The HMO will assist you in completing the required paperwork to begin processing your rent advance. For specific questions about the program, please contact the base Financial Services Office at DSN (314) 224-0539
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