The Department of Defense (DOD) employs Runzheimer International
to collect the nation-wide housing cost data that they use to compute BAH.
Additionally, DOD obtains current data from multiple sources, employing a
"checks and balances" approach to ensure reliability and accuracy. Current
residential vacancies, identified in local newspapers and real estate rental
listings, are an important source of data. Vacancies are selected at random, and
subjected to a screening process. Telephone interviews establish the
availability and exact location of each unit sampled. DOD has designed the
sample to obtain a statistical confidence level of 95% or higher.
DOD
also contacts apartment and real estate management companies to identify units
for rental pricing. It is not uncommon for DOD to consult real estate
professionals in a locality to obtain confirmation and additional sources of
data. Where available, DOD contacts fort/post/base housing referral offices, to
tap local military expertise and gain insights into the local concerns of
military. Finally, DoD and the Services conduct on-site evaluations at various
locations to confirm and ensure reliability and accuracy of the cost data.
For more information contact your local PSD for updated BAH rates.