Housing and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Communication

ALCGPSC 065/22

R 121822Z MAY 22
ALCGPSC 065/22 
SUBJ: HOUSING AND PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION COMMUNICATION  
A. ALCGPSC 024/22 2022 Annual Review of Critical Housing Areas (CHA). 
1. With the ever changing and volatile housing markets throughout the 
country, it is critical that local commands ensure they are providing inbound 
members the information needed through the welcome aboard messaging and 
follow-on discussion with the new command. This will assist members in making 
sound housing decisions. 
2. The purpose of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) program is to offset 
private sector housing costs for Service members living off-base on the local 
market economy. 
A. When government quarters are unavailable, BAH rates serve as an equitable 
allowance, helping members afford adequate rental housing near their duty 
location. The allowance is set based on geographic duty location, pay grade, 
and dependency status (whether or not a member has at least one dependent). 
The recommended communication strategy for each location should be to send 
out a command welcome email, followed up by a housing email. It is suggested 
that each location add the link to the Defense Travel Management Office 
(DTMO) BAH page to their housing message at 
https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm.
B. BAH rates are also based exclusively on rental markets, not home purchase 
markets. While members are free to use BAH for mortgage payments, BAH is not 
intended to track or reflect home purchase markets as they are distinct 
markets that fluctuate on a variety of additional factors such as individual 
credit history and interest rate changes. While rental and home purchase 
markets are correlated, it is not a one-to-one relationship; the two markets 
may fluctuate at different times, and at different rates, over a given 
period.
3. Additional information that is critical to a successful PCS transfer 
includes educating members on the availability of leased housing programs 
when their need exceeds their profile (housing requirement standards set by 
DoD) or they cannot locate any housing within their allowance. The Coast 
Guard has owned and/or leased housing options in many locations. Please visit 
the Housing Management website to see the locations of those housing options 
at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/PSD/fs/Housing/. 
4. The above website also contains links to easily contact the housing 
officer in the member’s new PCS location. Commands are encouraged to have 
inbound members contact that local representative early.
5. For those locations without government owned/leased housing options, 
housing referral assistance can be found at https://www.homes.mil/.
6. Commands shall ensure all members going to locations designated a critical 
housing area (CHA), as established in reference (a), are informed of their 
election opportunities and potential housing challenges, prior to departure 
from the current unit.
7. PSC-PSD-FS POC: Mr. Wayne Canfield (510) 437-5796. 
8. Released by: RDML D.C. Barata, Commander, Personnel Service Center.  
The Service Center for Our Most Important Resource – Our People. 
9. Internet release is authorized.