Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on geographic duty
location, pay grade, and dependency status. The intent of BAH is to provide
uniformed service members accurate and equitable housing compensation based on
housing costs in local civilian housing markets, and is payable when government
quarters are not provided.
The average cost of living in the Little Rock
area is low when compared to many other regions. However, the Basic
Allowance for Housing (BAH) is also low when compared to other
areas.
Some apartments offer short-term leases and furnished
apartments are obtainable, although at a higher monthly cost. Many
apartments and rental homes do not allow pets, or charge a VERY high,
non-refundable, pet fee and/or a pet deposit.
While apartments and rental
homes are plentiful, rental costs for some larger or newer houses are
disproportionately high in relation to the expense of purchasing a
home.
Members who have had utilities in their name, or
spouse's name, previously are advised to request a letter of credit from their
utility company; some utility companies may waive the normal requirement for a
security deposit.
The Housing Office is the point of contact
for everyone when making living arrangements, on and off base: dormitory and
military family housing, apartment, rental house and home
purchase.
ALL military members are required to check in with
the Housing Office PRIOR to signing a lease agreement.
All
accompanied enlisted students and single permanent party members below the rank
of E-4 who have been granted permission to live off-base must request the BAH
Application Form from the Housing Office prior to requesting BAH through the
Finance Office.
The base housing office has a "Rental Partnership" with
several local apartment complexes, offering financial benefits for active-duty
members (i.e., no application fee, no security deposit, and more!.)
For
exact rates for your specific situation, information is available from the Per
Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee's Web Site provided in
contacts/links.