Government Housing
Unaccompanied Housing
Community Housing
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Misawa's inventory consists of more than 1,700 Townhome and/or Tower units. This includes:
For many families, living in government housing provides easy access to a wealth of community services and amenities such as schools, youth programs, Commissary/Exchange, and food services. This is especially true in overseas locations where you will find yourself dependent on the support facilities and services on the installation much more than those in the U.S. Living within government housing provides a safe and secure place to reside and provides a mentoring and supportive environment for families. Effective 1 Sep 2009, the Installation Commander implemented an "On-Base First" Family Housing (FH) policy, established for active duty accompanied members and mil to mil co-located in Misawa. If on-base FH is available upon your arrival, members must accept an on-base unit that meets grade and family size IAW AFI 32-6000. Effective 17 Nov 2022, the Installation Commander implemented an "On-Base First" Unaccompanied Housing (UH) policy, established for active-duty unaccompanied members E4 (with 3 Years or more Years of Service) through E6 assigned to Misawa. If on-base UH is available upon your arrival, members must accept an on-base unit that meets grade and are authorized full JTR weight allowance. Please coordinate with your outbound Transportation Management Office (TMO) to ensure you are receiving the correct weight entitlement if you plan to reside off-base. All other accompanied and unaccompanied Air Force personnel with a permanent change of station (PCS) to Misawa AB are authorized full JTR weight allowance. Due to the smaller size of government quarters, accompanied and unaccompanied personnel are encouraged NOT to ship their full JTR weight allowance. We highly recommend that you utilize your non-temporary storage (NTS) entitlement at origin. In the event you ship your full JTR weight allowance, Misawa AB does not have storage facilities to accommodate excess household items. Local rental storage units are also very limited. Housing and the TMO will not ship items back to the continental US (CONUS) for non-temporary storage (NTS). All housing is pet friendly; However, special housing accommodations will not be made to accommodate families with pets. The preference for yard or other accommodations for your pet in housing is not a justification to turn down a housing offer. Pets (cats and dogs) are authorized in single family units, townhouses, towers and multiplex homes. Before deciding to bring a pet to Misawa, you are strongly encouraged to contact the MHO at least 30 days prior to arrival to ensure pet friendly housing is available. Having a pet does not guarantee you placement in a particular housing unit. Placement is based on availability and the member's entitlement. Only two pets are allowed in family housing unless an approved waiver is acquired by the sponsor. Contact the Military Housing Office for details on this process.
Please submit an advance application for assignment (DD Form 1746) and Sex Offender Disclosure form to the MHO at your losing installation with a complete copy of your PCS orders. The effective date of the application is the date you depart your prior installation (including members with TDY in route) or the date ordered to active duty. Please be sure your application identifies and includes supporting documentation for an impending promotion or gain of dependents so that you can be placed on the appropriate waiting list. Applications can also be submitted upon arrival during your first visit to the MHO. MHO staff will be able to assist in the completion of the application and will review PCS orders and housing options with you. All incoming personnel must report to the MHO within 24 hours of arriving Government housing is located in 2 different locations:
See Referral and Relocation Assistance for a list of the community amenities available at Misawa.
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. If you are unable to purchase property insurance state side there are several locations located in Misawa to assist you.
Contact the Military Housing Office (MHO) if you have any questions about the housing eligibility criteria at this location.
At Misawa AB strives 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 the Air Force strives to provide a modern, functional, well maintained and comfortable home, as well as promote pride, professionalism and personal dignity. Effective 17 Nov 2022, the Installation Commander implemented an "On-Base First" Unaccompanied Housing (UH) policy (See Document Section) established for active-duty unaccompanied members E4 (with 3 Years or more Years of Service) through E6 assigned to Misawa. If on-base UH is available upon your arrival, members must accept an on-base unit that meets grade and are authorized full JTR weight allowance. Permanent party UH campus consists of eleven multi-level buildings:
The ADL or UH Management Office representative will inform you of all Air Force and base-specific policies during your orientation.
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 Airman Dormitory Leaders (ADL). These members are highly motivated personnel dedicated to ensuring that residents receive quality service. ADLs will provide 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 a dormitory room for you. We highly encourage you keep close contact with your sponsor and confirm information you may need to determine what Household Goods you may need.
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 or acquire a hospitality room for you until you can meet with an ADL or Dorm Manager. If you obtain your room key outside of normal duty hours, it is still mandatory to report to the UH Management Office the next duty day for in-processing.
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 for personal growth and development in the areas of leadership and personal relationships. Ask your UH Management Office about how you can get involved.
Contact the UH Management Office for procedures you must follow to clear your room before you PCS or move out of the Dormitories.
Contact the UH Management Office at DSN 315-226-4000 to inquire about availability of a space-available rooms.
The Housing Management Office (MHO) provides all DoD personnel with personalized service to assist in locating suitable housing in your new host country. Moving to a new country can often be confusing and stressful; however, it can also be exciting. Misawa Air Base has an "On-Base First" policy for all active duty accompanied families assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan. If on-base housing is unavailable upon arrival, accompanied military families are permitted to secure housing in the local community until units become available on base. If you secure accommodations in the local community keep in mind, living off base provides members and families the chance to experience a new culture and make friends with their host country neighbors, and the MHO will assist you every step of the way.
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 as well as local laws governing off-base housing. 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 monitors off-base rental listings to ensure that they are safe and adequate. The MHO can assist you with:
After you move into your home, the MHO is available for on-going assistance with translation services should you need to communicate with your landlord.
The MHO provides up-to-date listings of available economy units, translation services, and landlord/tenant mediation. Newcomers who are authorized and plan to live off base in the Misawa community should plan to pay a number of upfront costs prior to moving in to their house or apartment, and should plan accordingly. Standard practice by housing agencies at Misawa is to charge one month's rent, a security deposit equal to one month's rent, and first/last month's rent, which are all due when securing lease signing. Although the local community has gone through great efforts to construct "American Style" Homes for families, Japanese living is considerably smaller than what we are accustomed to in the US. Average, 3 bedroom units are typically about 1,100 square feet. Houses vary regarding the type of heating and air conditioning provide. Some units have central heating and cooling systems, and other may have window air conditioning or individual kerosene heating units in the individual rooms. Misawa has four season, similar to the North East United States or Midwest. Portable units can be used, but expect for utility bills to be quite high. Members should also expect to pay water, sewage and trash collection fees at off-base housing. 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. Several insurance agencies are located immediately outside the Misawa Main gate. These are the same agencies that provide vehicle insurance. Before purchasing your insurance, please consult the MHO for more information about coverage.
The majority of the rental units are managed by housing agents and services at Misawa. These agents are individuals or offices representing the owner of the property for rent or sale. HRO is contacted daily by the agents to obtain the maximum number of rental units for referral to DoD personnel. Agency representatives are located in the Housing Office and will assist in matching your needs with an agency. They will also arrange to meet you and show the units that are available for immediate occupancy.
For families, we understand that where your children attend school plays a large factor in the decision of where to live. For more information about schools, visit http://www.dodea.edu/Pacific/
Referral and Relocation Assistance
Furnishings Management
Misawa AB Public Website
Get to Know the Installation
Misawa Community Standards
Housing Assignment Procedures
On-Base First Family Housing Policy
Family Housing Bedroom Entitlements
Housing Brochure
Family Housing A/C & Heating Instructions
Sample Floor Plans
Housing Mold Flyer
Mold Guide for Homeowners
Lead Based Paint Disclosure Memo
Asbestos Awareness
Guide to Importing Pets
Pet Policy
Unaccompanied Housing On-Base Policy
Misawa Housing Facebook