Do military personnel have their apartment costs covered during deployment?

Hi all, considering joining the military after I graduate, but a worry in my mind is, what happens to accommodation costs for places I might be renting if I'm deployed? Would the military step in and cover those expenses? I've heard they do, but I'm not totally sure. Has anyone here had any experience with this?

Hello! The military provides a variety of housing benefits, but how these apply can depend on various factors such as your rank and location of deployment.

One component is something called the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). This is a housing benefit given to service members based on their geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It's designed to compensate for housing expenses incurred while serving in the military. The BAH can go toward either on-base housing or off-base residences.

Service members who live off-base are often able to qualify for BAH, which they can use to cover off-base housing costs, including apartment rent. It's important to note though that the BAH is calculated based on the local cost of living and housing market, and it might not cover 100% of your rent.

If you are deployed, you would generally continue to receive the BAH to cover your housing costs back home, as long as you maintain that residence. Alternatively, service members may choose to break their lease under the Service members' Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which allows you to break a lease without penalty if you are deployed or PCSed (Permanent Change of Station) for a period of over 90 days.

So to answer your question in short, yes, the military offers different allowances that can be used for housing costs, potentially including expenses associated with renting an apartment. However, it may not fully cover the costs depending on factors like location and the specifics of the housing market. Hence, it's important to plan accordingly and consider all potential costs before committing to a rental agreement when you're in the military, and to be aware of your rights under the SCRA.