Every year Coast Guard members transfer from one duty station to the next moving their family from one place to another. One of the challenges that goes along with relocating is finding a home to live in that is within the service member’s housing allowance. In some cases, the answer may be Coast Guard leased housing, which policy has recently been updated providing housing officers greater flexibility to locate and contract leases to assist our members with suitable housing.
Once you have your permanent change of station (PCS) orders in hand you should contact the housing office at your new duty station. The housing officers can provide you information on housing options including Coast Guard owned or leased housing, or rental properties within the community.
If you choose to pursue Coast Guard leased housing, you should be aware of some conditions regarding who is eligible for Coast Guard leased housing. These conditions are based on pay grade and how many are in your family. All of this is outlined in the Coast Guard Housing Manual.
Contacting the housing office early in the PCS season allows time to request a waiver to leased housing eligibility if circumstances merit an exception. If Coast Guard leased housing is the best solution, the housing office may now contract that housing in advance, up to 60 days, in order to ensure its availability in time for your arrival. This is particularly helpful in remote, seasonal locations where suitable, affordable rental housing is in short supply.
“Housing offices in challenging rental markets requested additional time to locate and contract leases for inbound members,” said James Jeffery with the Coast Guard Housing Management division in Washington, D.C. “Previous policy required a waiver for any leased housing vacancy beyond 10 days and housing officers were not able to locate homes, enroll prospective lessors in the Coast Guard Financial System, and secure a property before other renters within 10 days. Our goal is to ensure the leased housing program is a useful tool in the Coast Guard’s comprehensive housing management plan.”
Transfer season is here. There are resources available to you for a smooth transition from one permanent duty station to the next; from one home to the next. Contact your Local Housing Office as soon as you receive your orders. The housing staff are the experts in their area of responsibility and can advise members on the best options for local housing.
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