Europe
Survey affecting overseas US service members’ housing money runs through March
Stars and Stripes
January 6, 2023
Col. Kevin Poole, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, speaks with residents Aug. 24, 2022, to get a better understanding of local housing conditions. The U.S. military is asking personnel living abroad to complete the annual housing allowance survey, which runs through March 31. (Natalie Simmel/U.S. Army)
The U.S. military is asking service members abroad to complete an annual overseas housing allowance survey, which influences how much money they’ll get for rent and utility expenses.
The survey, which runs through March 31, collects utility and recurring maintenance expense data of service members who live in private housing off base.
This year’s information gathering comes amid high energy costs stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war. With imports of cheap gas from Russia largely cut off, heating bills have risen in much of Europe.
The survey asks for the amount of rent, actual utility expenses and recurring maintenance expenses, as stated on utility bills and receipts, or estimates for maintenance expenses, the Army said.
Among the reportable expenses: electricity, natural gas for heating and cooking, bottled gas and other household fuel costs, such as kerosene. In addition, personnel can report sewer, trash and water costs.
The survey and a full list of reportable expenses can be found at http://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Housing-Allowance/OHA-Data-Collection-Surveys/.
Military housing in Wiesbaden, Germany, as seen April 12, 2022. Through March 31, U.S. personnel stationed abroad can complete the annual overseas housing allowance survey, which influences how much money service members are paid for household expenses. (Roland Schedel/U.S. Army)