Military Life: How to Obtain On-Base Housing

The men and women of the United States military face demanding lives having to be available for work 365 days per year. They are often called to serve and protect while placing the needs of their country over the needs of their families. Military service may call a soldier to uproot their families, relocate to various duty locations or have to live separate from their families for some time. Since it is believed that military quality of life is a part of military readiness, the Department of Defense provides for various housing options, including on-base housing.

The Application Process

The Forms

On base housing is not always guaranteed and involves an application process. When applying for housing, the different branches of theArmed Forces will provide military members an application package, which includes a housing checklist. Depending on status, military personnel are required to complete certain forms, including an application, sex offender disclosure form, emergency information and PCS orders.

Any soldier seeking on-base housing must complete an Application for Assignment to Housing (DD 1746). This form is designed to provide the Housing Office with information that will be used to provide military and/or Public Private Venture (PPV) housing. The form is voluntary for failure to complete could result in lack of housing assistance.

In addition to the DD 1746, a military member must complete a Sex Offender Policy Acknowledgement & Disclosure Form, Addendum A. This form serves as a screening for thos who may have been found to be sex offenders, who are precluded from on base or privatized housing.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Orders, Detaching Endorsement, a Record of Emergency Data (DD 93), or an Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card (DD 1172) listing dependents who will live on base, must be included in the application submissions.

If a members spouse is also active duty, a DD1746, PCS Orders, Detaching Endorsement and other paperwork are required as well. In some cases, an Exceptional Family Member (EFM) Verification may have to be submitted and for female military personnel, a pregnancy statement may be required.
Processing

Once the required forms are completed, forward the forms to your duty location, Forms can be faxed, mailed and/or electronically sent to your destination base.

Once you report for duty, the military member can check with the housing office of their base. Some military duty locations require soldiers to check in before their applications are processed. Temporary housing may be an option until on-base housing is obtained. In the interim, be sure to update the housing office with any changes that may affect housing, such as birth of children.

Obtaining On Base Housing

Once the application is processed, the military base personnel will review housing requirements and determine whether there is available on base housing. If there is adequate and available housing, the military member applicant will be notified and arrangements made for an arrival date or for a move from temporary housing.

If on-base housing is not available, the member applicant will be able to take advantage of other options, including temporary housing and private housing options and stipends.

Other considerations

Finding on base housing will depend on a military member's housing needs and housing availability. A married soldier with dependents will have more specific housing demands than an unmarried soldier. The more specific housing needs may require additional paperwork.

On base housing can offer many benefits for a soldier and his or her family. The process for obtaining on-base housing takes time. To be successful in the process, military members should carefully complete required applications and send supportive documentation. When in doubt, ask questions of the staff of his or her base housing office.