Potential housing disaster, what options do I have?

SGT Kristin Wiley — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 23:00:14 -0400

I have a very unique situation and am trying to figure out how to avoid a potential disaster using the appropriate methods. I am active duty Army assigned to a Marine Corps base in Hawaii under a Joint Command. Since I am a single E-5, normally I would be required to be in the barracks. Since USAG-HI has a 99% barracks occupancy rate and I am a priority II this is not an option. My command has also authorized an ETP for various reasons.

The Army Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH) office told me today, that my CNA can only go to the end of my lease date. This wouldn't be a problem, but I will be TDY when my lease ends and unable to sign a new lease to get re-approved for BAH until I return. So essentially they are telling me that I will be unable to occupy government quarters and cannot receive BAH until I get a new lease.

For those of you who think it's possible to use government storage while TDY, it's not. My command has a habit of issuing TDY orders 2 days prior to departure. This is a significantly inadequate amount of time to put in a 30 day notice to break my lease and arrange government storage. There are additional circumstances that also prevent this.

From what I understand of regulations, there is no 'lease' requirement for a CNA or to accrue BAH. However, this is what the UPH office insists on. I've been in this same situation before and was basically homeless for two weeks because of it (still working to rectify with finance). In six months, I am looking at being essentially homeless once I return from my TDY unless I can come up with a solution. I am in the process of addressing this with my command, but would appreciate any advice that could help.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Apr 15 at 2015 6:26 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 18:26:46 -0400

Does anyone have any advice? I read through the regulations, and from what I could gather this is not how the process is supposed to work.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 15 at 2015 6:30 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 18:30:27 -0400

Can you extend the lease prior to departing on TDY, possibly with an option to extend further as needed should the TDY run longer than expected and just keep the housing?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 15 at 2015 7:14 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 19:14:07 -0400

Special power of attorney limited to ONLY the documents requiring signature under your name. If your CoC is making this dilemma happen again and again, I would go to the commander and request that you make the cdr, xo, or S-1 be your POA. Watch this situation resolve itself with a super-mega-quickness.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 16 at 2015 12:03 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 00:03:47 -0400

I would start by keeping this simple. First would you should see your 1SG and/or Commander.

Bases that are now Joint, still have a Garrison Command their somewhere. If your unit can't figure this out, I would go see the Garrison Command Sergeant Major. I have to believe the Garrison CSM can figure this out, if your unit can't.

If that fails, this is why we have an IG Office.

Something is missing here, or something is amiss.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 12:12 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 12:12:01 -0400

Can you ask your unit to postpone the TDY until after the lease renewal?