Wednesday, April 13, 2011

DoD Housing - Military, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines

DoD Housing
The Department of Defense operates housing initiatives on DoD installations which include Army Post housing and Air Force Base housing.  The Navy and Marine Corps also operate their own housing programs at CONUS and OCONUS locations near many major DoD installations.  The Department of Defense started a military housing privatization initiative in 1996.  TDY Lodging offers off base DoD Housing near every major military installation for short term travel or relocation while house hunting, or for newly assigned personnel who are on the post housing waiting list and in need of temporary lodging until base housing is available.

DoD Housing Privatization Initiative
Congress enacted the Military Housing Privatization Initiative in 1996, which has enabled private companies to build and maintain base housing at several DoD installations.  Prior to the DoD housing privatization, each military branch maintained their own housing programs which were staffed with a greater number of federal government civil service employees and contractors.  The shift of many federal government jobs to the private sector has enabled many Defense contracting companies to bid on base housing projects.  The privatization of DoD housing initiatives allows private companies to contract base housing projects from start to finish, including construction, maintenance, and private funding.  The privatization of DoD housing has led to hundreds of military housing projects which have been transferred over to the private sector. 

DoD Housing Allowance
DoD service members have the option of either residing in military housing on post, or living off base with authorization.  Military personnel residing off base receive a standard monthly DoD Housing Allowance, which is based on rank/pay grade and the number of family members or dependents.  The 2011 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH Rates) saw a significant drop based on falling home prices and rents, and the dip in the overall economy.  Most military members and local communities around many of the DoD installations are hoping for a significant increase in 2012 BAH Rates because this often allows service members to afford adequate off base housing in the local area near their assignment location.  The new DoD housing rates for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel will be released near the end of 2011.

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