Military branches have shifted upkeep and rent collection to private firms since the 1990s, allowing them to focus on training and combat. But a recent Reuters report found that the companies were ignoring dangerous mold and lead paint hazards in some of the houses they manage. And a government investigation is underway.
The Department of Defense launched Enterprise Military Housing, or EMH, in 2014 to serve as the central data hub for gathering and analyzing timely, accurate information about the entire military housing inventory in order to make sound program and investment decisions. The system aims to provide the Army and Navy with better insight into the health of their barracks and apartments, as well as the housing needs of their residents. It also provides a tool for improving the way that private contractors and military installation officials interact with families.
eMH includes a web-based data warehouse and business modules that automate headquarter, regional, and installation housing operations. The DoD can manage over 750,000 housing units across 400 locations globally using these tools.
Another key feature is a virtual video tour option that lets military families choose homes without having to travel to the area. This feature can be especially helpful for military members and their spouses who don’t have the time or resources to visit a location before they move.
Service members may search the eMH database for off-base and privatized housing options within their specific criteria or a range of their basic allowance for housing rate. They can also view photos of properties and read about their community’s amenities.
If a service member doesn’t find the perfect rental they are interested in, they can always request a referral to another housing office that might have a similar home. Those offices can then contact the landlord to see if they want to hire a new tenant.
Two main types of housing are available to service members on base: government-owned and public/private venture, or PPV, housing. Both are typically located on or off base and, in most cases, are former military housing.
Generally, government-owned housing is only available in CONUS, but PPV housing is widely available OCONUS. PPV housing offers a lower monthly rental rate and can be more affordable than government-owned housing. In addition, PPV housing is often more conveniently located than government-owned housing and does not require the same level of security as government-owned housing.
What is Enterprise Military Housing?
Enterprise Military Housing is the DoD’s new web-based system to help service members search for private and local housing rentals. It replaces the Automated Housing Referral Network, which has more than 1 million users and 800,000 properties.
The Defense Department’s mission is to support its soldiers and their families by providing them with safe, clean, comfortable housing. It also helps keep military families together by coordinating efforts to provide service members with housing for their spouses, children, and other dependents.
eMH is an automated system that stores, manages, and analyzes information on military housing worldwide. It’s designed to deter duplicity and protect the privacy of military personnel who use it. It also provides a central data hub for assessing and managing risks, so officials can make sound program and investment decisions.
The DoD launched eMH in 2014, and it’s been used to track issues like lead poisoning hazards in Army homes and mold infestations in Navy and Marine Corps apartments. It has also been used to track housing emergencies such as fires and floods.
A major component of eMH is the Integrated Housing Reporting (IHR) system, which tracks and reports the condition of all of the base’s on-base barracks. It’s an automated process that’s mandated for all base housing offices to use.
It’s a great resource for base staff and enlisted members, but it can be confusing for non-base staff who don’t know how to use it. It’s best to contact the installation’s housing referral office or housing privatization office for more details.
There are two options for military families when it comes to finding housing: rent or buy a home off the base. In many cases, buying a house can be more expensive than renting, but it can offer greater flexibility if you move or get reassigned.
Another option is to live in a community owned by a private-sector company. That lets you select your house’s size, amenities, and location. But you must have a job to qualify for it.
The government doesn’t directly fund the military’s privatized housing projects, but it does have a responsibility to ensure their success. It’s estimated that 206,000 houses and apartments are now under private management through the U.S. Military Housing Privatization Initiative, a 22-year-old initiative that’s the largest corporate takeover of federal housing.
Does US Army provide housing?
Generally, the US Army does not provide housing for members and their families. However, it does offer certain benefits to a limited number of service members. These include a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which helps offset the cost of military housing.
BAH is a stipend that can be used to cover the rent of an apartment or house on base. The amount of BAH is based on a service member’s rank, location, and family situation.
Service members typically choose to live on-base primarily for economic reasons. They believe that government housing is more valuable than private housing in the local market, and therefore they are willing to pay for it.
On-base housing is offered through barracks for single or unaccompanied service members and military family housing for members with dependents. These accommodations are often located within walking distance of the workplace and are free or low-cost, depending on the servicemember’s circumstances.
Most on-base family housing is duplexes or fourplexes, but at some bases, single-dwelling units are also available. These are ideal for families, as they are close to day care, schools, and other activities and events on-base.
Enlisted and officers with family can also apply for military-owned housing, which is often a leased home that is owned by the installation. These homes are usually located in a residential area of the installation and may have fenced-in backyards.
Currently, only one-third of military families live in on-base housing that is owned by the DoD. The other two-thirds of military families live in housing managed by private companies that receive a rent payment from the DoD.
The US Army has a long history of using housing referral services to help service members find adequate private-sector housing. These services have been in place since 1967.
These agencies work with the private sector to revitalize military family housing through various financial tools, including direct loans, loan guarantees, equity investments, and the conveyance or leasing of land, homes, or other property.
Enterprise military housing provides a much-needed solution to the problem of inadequate housing on military installations. It allows the US Army to eliminate vacancies, build and renovate more quickly, and better serve the needs of its personnel.
How To access enterprise military housing?
The first place to start is with the base housing office. They are a great source of information and knowledge about available military housing. They also provide a forum to discuss housing-related issues and concerns. They are the people you need to talk to if you want to know where the best deals are for your next PCS. The base housing offices are the mainstay of the enterprise Military Housing program and are responsible for deploying the program across the nation.
They will also provide the training and support for the new program. For example, they will provide the on-base eMH users with an on-base training session and online and telephone support. Their top-notch customer service and friendly personnel will ensure your success on and off the base. If you have questions about eMH or wish to speak to one of the top experts in their field, contact them via email or phone.