JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Editor’s note: Article has been localized from Department of Defense release titled DoD Authorizes a Temporary Increase to 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates for Certain Locations.
The Department of Defense has temporarily authorized increases in the 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for 56 housing markets, more commonly referred to as Military Housing Areas (MHAs) across the U.S., including some surrounding areas of Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Members residing in Hampton and Newport News may be eligible for a 15% BAH increase pending approval and verification of incurred increased housing costs above their current BAH.
“Permanent Change of Station during the pandemic presented many challenges for members of Team JBLE, to include increased housing costs,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Decker, 633d Comptroller Squadron and Wing Staff Agencies commander. “The temporary BAH rate increase recognizes this impact on our Military Housing Area and provides additional financial support for active duty service members who are paying out-of-pocket housing expenses each month and meet the eligibility criteria.”
The increased BAH rates for affected active duty (and full-time National Guard duty) service members will take effect October 1, 2021, and expire on December 31, 2021.
Members who are eligible for this increase must first certify they have incurred higher housing expenses in excess of their current BAH entitlement using a memorandum template found here. Approval requires commander’s review and signature. Delegation authority has been set to O-6 commanders (or civilian equivalents), with further re-delegation authorized no lower than O-4 commanders.
Members should route this through their chain of command.
Approved request memorandums will then be submitted via the Comptroller Services Portal at https://usaf.dps.mil/teams/SAFFMCSP/portal/SitePages/Home.aspx. This page can also be accessed for any inquiries regarding temporary BAH increases.
These higher BAH rates will be replaced by 2022 BAH rates on January 1, 2022.
Members should not assume these rate increases will continue into 2022.
The Department is committed to preserving a compensation and benefits structure that provides members with a suitable and secure standard of living to sustain a trained, experienced, and ready force now and in the future. The temporary BAH increase is a reflection of this commitment.
For more information on the Basic Allowance for Housing, visit https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm.