Privatized Housing
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At Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, military family housing is privatized both on the Air Base and Naval Weapon Station. Hunt (Air Base) and Balfour Beatty (Naval Weapon Station) manages and operates family housing and are responsible for maintaining, repairing, constructing and managing the community. In addition to your option to purchase and rent housing in the local community, you now may choose to live in privatized housing by signing a tenant lease agreement with the Military Privatized Family Housing. For comprehensive information about the privatized housing community at Joint Base Charleston visit privatized partners websites: Air Base https://www.jbcharlestonfamilyhousing.com/ and Naval Weapon Station (JBWSCharlestonHomes.com). The website provides information you need to know about the homes and amenities available in the privatized housing community. For information on NSA Charleston – Naval Weapons Station visit: https://ffr.cnic.navy.mil/Navy-Housing/Housing-By-Region/Southeast/NSA-Charleston/
Contact the Military Housing Office (MHO) as soon as you know you are moving to Joint Base Charleston. The government housing team will provide you the latest information about privatized housing and details about the application process. The MHO will also update you on any base specific policies regarding residing in privatized housing. They can be reached at (843)963-3858 or on the Naval Weapons Station, (843)794-7218.
Privatized housing is comparable to housing in the local community and provides a wide variety of amenities and support services, such as:
As a resident of privatized housing, contact the Hunt Military Communities Management Office or Balfour Beatty Communities to obtain more specific information on the services available at your location.
Similar to living in the local community, you will sign a tenant lease agreement, typically for a one-year term. Your lease includes a military clause and a lease termination clause. You pay your monthly rent by authorizing an allotment of your BAH that is paid directly to the Property Manager. If your move occurs prior to the allotment start date, then you will need to pay the pro-rated rent directly to the Property Manager. The Tenant Lease Agreement spells out all relevant rent payment terms and conditions.
All homes on Main Base Housing are metered. For more information about your utilities, contact the Property Manager.
You need to obtain legal liability and personal property insurance for your possessions and should choose the options and amounts that best fit your needs and lifestyle. Before purchasing your insurance, please consult the Property Management Office for more information about coverage.
For families, we understand that where your children attend school plays a large factor in the decision of where to live. The Charleston area includes schools located in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. Parents of school-age children are encouraged to research schools prior to signing leases for housing.
Please contact the School Liaison at the office below for local school information.
On Northwest Side:
At Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, we strive to create an inclusive environment that cultivates the development and training of Airmen. The Air Force recognizes that the management of Unaccompanied Housing (UH) facilities is critical to an Airman's development process. UH is a personal residence and we strive to provide a modern, functional, well maintained and comfortable home, as well as promote pride, professionalism and personal dignity. UH is provided for unaccompanied service members in the ranks of E-1 to E-3, and E-4 with less than 3 years of service. Each service member is provided a private sleeping room, furnishings, bed linens and supplies required for comfortable living. (Room arrangements may vary depending on location) Unaccompanied members in the rank of E-4 with greater than 3 years of service and above may move into housing in the local community. Please refer to the Housing in the Local Community section for information and assistance on securing housing. Unaccompanied Airmen in the rank of E-4 with greater than 3 years of service and above will move into housing in the local community. Please refer to the Housing in the Local Community section for information and assistance on securing housing. The permanent party UH campus at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, consists of six dormitories housing over 545 residents.
The Barracks are located on NSA Charleston (Naval Weapons Station). Approximately 180 personnel from all five branches are housed in either one of the 12 two-bedroom apartments or the 3 townhomes with three or four bedrooms. New residents will check-in at 1 Mahan Circle. Government provided linen is optional, so plan accordingly. There are also recreational, fitness, dining, religious, educational and other amenities on base. For more information on the barracks please visit: https://ffr.cnic.navy.mil/Navy-Housing/Housing-By-Region/Southeast/NSA-Charleston/
During your orientation, the ADL or UH Management Office representative will inform you of all Air Force and base-specific policies. All residents are required to review and sign the in-processing packet with inventory, policies and rules.
The UH Management Office is staffed with professionals that can assist with all of your housing needs. Staffs vary but can be comprised of non-commissioned officers (NCO), Senior NCOs and some bases have civilian employees. The assigned military are ADLs. These members are highly motivated personnel dedicated to ensuring that residents receive quality service. ADLs will provide you guidance and advice on UH life as well as mentor you on succeeding in the Air Force.
As soon as you are notified of your assignment, contact your gaining unit and request to be assigned a sponsor. Your sponsor will be another military member assigned to your unit and will assist with your move. The sponsor or gaining unit must then contact the UH Management Office to notify them of your impending arrival date and work to secure you a dormitory room.
In most cases, you will be assigned a room in an area of the dormitory set aside for the personnel who work in your unit. This is to promote camaraderie among squadron members. If a room is not available near other members of your unit, you may be assigned a temporary room until one with your unit becomes available.
Prior to travel, arrange to meet your sponsor or someone from your unit upon arrival at the gaining installation. If you arrive on a business day during normal duty hours, have your sponsor escort you to the UH Management Office. An ADL or a civilian Dorm Manager will take you through the process of checking you into your room and performing a move-in inspection and inventory of the allotted furnishings and supplies. If you arrive on the weekend or after normal duty hours, have your sponsor make arrangements to pick up your room key from the UH Management Office and report to the UH Management Office the next duty day. If you obtain your room key outside of normal duty hours, it is still a mandatory requirement to report to the UH in-processing briefing every Tuesday at 0900 in Dormitory 464.
You will be expected to keep your room and any shared living space clean and tidy. Cleaning supplies and equipment can be provided to you free of charge. You will also be accountable for your room and the furnishings provided. Residents may be held liable for any damages beyond normal fair wear and tear. See your ADL or UH Management Office representative if you have any questions about your resident responsibilities.
The Installation Commander establishes a base-wide UH inspection program focused on health and safety. Squadron Commanders and unit First Sergeants implement the inspection program and visit rooms to ensure that all residents from their squadron comply with installation standards.
UH residents are expected to assist in the cleaning and upkeep of common areas and shared facilities of their "home." You will periodically be detailed to perform essential cleaning and minor maintenance around the UH campus.
The Airmen Dormitory Council is the forum by which residents of an individual dormitory or group of dormitories address concerns about their living environment with a panel of their peers. The purpose of the council is to establish standards for all residents, present solutions for problem areas, establish positive recreational activities and identify facility and furnishing improvements. Participation at your location is an opportunity to be involved in shaping your living environment and provides an opportunity for personal growth and development in the areas of leadership and personal relationships. Ask your ADL or UH Management Office representative about how you can get involved.
It is mandatory for unaccompanied service members in the ranks of E-1 to E-3 and E-4 with less than 3 years of service to reside in UH. An E-4 residing in UH reaching 3 years of service may be authorized to move out of UH and into local community housing. Contact the UH Management Office for procedures you must follow to clear your room. In certain circumstances, such as to make space available for more junior members, you may be authorized to move out of UH before reaching E-4 with greater than 3 years of service. The most senior members are released first. Your UH Management Office representative will advise residents when early release is necessary.
The Military Housing Office (MHO) provides all DoD personnel with personalized services to assist in locating suitable housing in the local community. Although moving is sometimes stressful, it can also be an exciting opportunity to live off base and experience a new location. The MHO will assist you every step of the way to help you find your new home in the local community.
Contact the MHO as soon as you know you are moving. The government housing team will provide you the latest information on the local housing situation and offer complete referral services and relocation assistance to make sure you find a quality place to live. Please also use https://www.homes.mil/homes/DispatchServlet/HomesEntry for your search of rental properties. Support services range from helping members understand their lease agreements and the necessity for a military release clause to assisting in resident and landlord dispute resolution, among many others. The MHO partners with landlords, realtors and property managers to make sure you receive the most current information about the local housing market. The MHO also monitors housing units offered for rent to the military community.
Prior to seeking off-base housing accommodations, military members are encouraged to check in with the MHO (Building 323 on Joint Base Charleston) for a briefing and for counseling. The MHO will provide you with invaluable assistance regarding both on and off base housing availability. Off-base housing is readily available and within close proximity to the base. Charleston offers a wide variety of housing options to include apartments, houses, townhouses and condominiums. Rental Options Generally, rates are moderate to high in the Charleston area. Please visit www.Homes.mil or other housing rental sites for the most accurate and current information. Purchase Options Home prices are constantly changing therefore we recommend to visit the MHO to research for local housing information. Contact MHO for any concerns or issues you encounter (discrimination complaints, tenant/landlord disputes, or any questions/problems about off base housing). Housing Referral Assistants are available to assist you to ensure your move is an easy and pleasant experience. For information about the housing allowances that financially support your move, see Referral and Relocation Assistance.
You need to obtain legal liability and personal property insurance for your possessions and should choose the options and amounts that best fit your needs and lifestyle.
For families, we understand that where your children attend school plays a large factor in the decision of where to live. The Charleston area includes schools located in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. Parents of school-age children are encouraged to research schools prior to signing leases for housing. The following schools adjacent to or near Joint Base Charleston are listed for your information:
Referral and Relocation Assistance
Joint Base Charleston Public Website
Navy Housing Assistance Contact Information
Defense Travel Management Office
Military OneSource
Charleston Family Housing Website
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Closed on Federal Holidays and AMC Family Days
M-F - 7:00am - 4:00pm (EST)