Can a single e4 live off post and receive bah if there’s no barracks vacancies?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 May 2021 22:12:18 -0400

i recently pcs’d and there is still no room in the barracks. i have been at my new duty station for about two months and still have all of my belongings in my car that i drove to my new duty station. i would like to be able to unpack and settle in. i was told there’s no telling when there’s a possible room opening. is it possible to receive bah for housing if there’s no room in the barracks? thanks for the help in advance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 10:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 May 2021 22:28:50 -0400

Anyone can live off post who receives a certificate of non availability. If there is no room your command should be pushing people off post, usually NCOs first. If it continues I would suggest a complaint to ICE or the IG or even your Senator.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 20 at 2021 10:54 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 20 May 2021 22:54:37 -0400

If there is no room in the barracks, yes. In a nutshell anyone can live off post it just requires authorization from your commanding officer.

You say you have all your belongings in your car and you have been there two months. Where have you been staying if the barracks are all full? Please do not say you have been sleeping in your car.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 10:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 May 2021 22:59:02 -0400

Did you ask your chain of command about this before you came on here? What did they say if so?

Where have you been living?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 11:11 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 May 2021 23:11:35 -0400

To answer your question, yes you can get BAH for off post living when coupled with statement of nonavailability. Now, where have you been staying/living for the last 2 months if there is no room in the barracks?

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 21 at 2021 1:44 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 21 May 2021 01:44:43 -0400

The answer is yes, with caveats. First, you must have a statement of non availability. 2. Command can place you back in the barracks once availability in the barracks occurs. 3. Are you promotable? That status might help you going forward with this. and last - You need to speak with your CoC regarding this. Having your stuff in your car is asking for all kinds of problems, especially if you have your TA-50 in it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 21 at 2021 5:42 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 21 May 2021 05:42:29 -0400

You were given the correct responses, more importantly is the Army covering your hotel currently?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 21 at 2021 10:23 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 21 May 2021 10:23:51 -0400

Have you been to Housing and what did they tell you? If it's short term, they should either put you in or tell you to find a hotel room and reimburse you for that expense. If they don't have room, then you should be issued a statement of non-availability and be allowed to find a place on the economy. Have you talked to anyone in your new command, like your sponsor? If you don't have one, I would hit the 1st Sgt and Commander up for guidance. That's why they get paid the big bucks.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 21 at 2021 10:45 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 21 May 2021 10:45:40 -0400

If you don't have a barracks room where are you currently living? When you check into a unit you generally go to barracks management and they either provide you a room or they provide a certificate of non-availability so you can get BAH and move out in town.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made May 21 at 2021 1:30 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Fri, 21 May 2021 13:30:25 -0400

There was a time when all slept in open bay barracks. Wall locker and foot locker for storage of uniforms, TA50, and civis. Or on the ground for a year.