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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 MHO.
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.
OHA: Is an amount paid to you to pay for rent. You only receive what you are paying for rent up to your maximum rental ceiling. Please contact the MHO for the latest rental ceiling for your grade.
Utility Allowance: On top of OHA, you will receive a monthly utility allowance. You will be paid based on the utilities that you are responsible for in the contract up to the maximum allowance. The MHO will advise you of the current allowance. You will receive the same amount each month to help pay for your utilities and please keep in mind that your winter bills will be a lot larger than your summer bills so you should budget your utility allowance accordingly.
Move In Housing Allowance (MIHA) Reimbursements authorized at Ghedi: Under the MIHA program, at Ghedi, we are authorized only two types of reimbursements; the (1) Lump Sum MIHA, and (2) Painting Fee MIHA.
Lump Sum MIHA: Military members, who buy or rent an overseas dwelling, are entitled to this allowance. MIHA is authorized to help defray the high costs of moving in to European-style homes because European landlords usually don't provide such things as kitchen or bathroom cabinets, closets and light fixtures, etc. They consider them furnishings. This allowance is designed to pay for light fixtures, transformers, curtain rods, sinks, kitchen cabinets, telephone installation and other items required to make your rental unit more habitable. Receipts are not required and any property purchased with this allowance becomes your property. MIHA is only paid for the first move upon arrival to a new duty station and cannot be paid for any subsequent moves.
Redecoration (Painting) MIHA: Painting fees for a unit is another allowance you may be entitled to. This allowance does not apply to homeowners. Check with the Military Housing Office for approved amounts to be refunded. Joint spouse military members and shares receive only one redecoration MIHA. You will file a claim at the housing office and the money will be paid into your pay check. You must then pay this money to the landlord.
For more information about your OHA and MIHA, visit the Defense Travel Management Office website.
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
When you arrive at Ghedi Air Base, 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. Your sponsor can book a local hotel room for you.
If permanent housing is not secured within 30 days, military members are required to report to the MHO 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 MHO 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 at Ghedi AB please contact the base Housing Management Assistant at DSN 632-3472.
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 MHO 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 632-3537.