Those who have dependents can choose to live on base, which is for free, or they can live off base and obtain a housing allowance. If one is assigned to a location where their dependents cannot travel to, they can live in the barracks without paying anything, while still continuing to get housing allowance for where their dependents live. In some cases, the member may not have a choice as to whether they live in on-base housing. This sort of thing needs to be given as much thought as what sort of medical assistance the military family may be able to get in California and other locations. Indeed, health and where one lives are very closely connected.
Requirements
Just like it is the case with medical assistance for a military family in California, in order for one to qualify for this kind of housing, there are some requirements. When it comes to family housing, one has to live in the same house as their dependents. In cases when one is deployed temporarily or who are on an oversea tour that is remote, this rule doesn’t apply. Those who are not married, or who are divorced, and have custody of their children for no less than half a year also qualify. Those who are married and separate from their spouse have to terminate their family situation no later than 60 days of the separation.
Quality
Military medical assistance for families in California or other places may be great, but this is not always the case with housing. When it comes to on-base options, they could be absolutely wonderful or in need of lots of renovation. In some cases, the living place can be civilian owned, which means that a civilian company was contracted to create and maintain the buildings. Oversea bases can come with high rise or family units. Barracks are often inspected, but on-base family units are only rarely under inspection. Of course, if there is a complaint or one moves out, then there will be some sort of inspection.
Waiting Lists
In many cases, bases can have a waiting list, which can range from a month to a full year. As such, those who are thinking of living on base should consider living off base until their waiting period is over. If this is the case, then the service branch will take one’s property off base, and they will move it to the on base unit. However, if one lives on base and then decides to move off base, the service branch will not pay for moving. Something else to keep in mind for those who are waiting for an on-base unit to become available is that they should be sure to include a service clause on their off-base unit. This ensures that one will be able to break a lease if they are reassigned or deployed for 90 days or more.
