Housing

Visit InMyArea.com to search for utility providers based on your zip code. This website serves as a one-stop shop where you can explore your options, compare prices and purchase services.

The Housing Service Office’s mission is to guide and assist all incoming and departing personnel with all housing needs, provide quality up-to-date relocation information, mediate disputes, provide counseling, deliver education and provide local guidance on local housing needs.

The HSO assists military members as well as federal civilian employees, military retirees and their families with locating non-discriminatory adequate, suitable housing both on and off post. In addition, the HSO provides service members with a variety of services related to housing, including: administration of temporary lodging allowance, housing referral service, landlord-tenant mediation, unaccompanied housing assistance, privatized housing assistance, specialized assistance to service members with rental challenges and the preferred tenant program, where applicable.

Note: All military members must process through the HSO prior to entering into any rental or sales agreement.

For the HSOs at Fort Wainwright, visit the Army's website and select the Fort Wainwright installation. You can visit the HSO in the Welcome Center, which is located at 3401 Santiago Road or call a housing management specialist at 907-353-1190.

Off-Post Housing Options:

Depending on the number of permanent change of state rotations and size of the families departing, the wait for a home can vary widely at Fort Wainwright. About one-third of families assigned to the installation reside off post for at least a portion of their tour of duty. The Department of Defense policy of raising basic allowance for housing rates to eliminate most out-of-pocket expenses for rental housing has greatly improved the ability of service members of all ranks to obtain adequate, affordable, off-post housing. You should check current BAH rates for your rank structure as soon as you are alerted for PCS to either Alaska installation. You can check current BAH rates by visiting the Defense Travel Management Office website.

For those who will be living off post, research and planning are essential for a successful move. Vacancy rates and rental costs off post are seasonal. Rental units become more difficult to obtain and more expensive during the summer months as opposed to the winter months. Rent for houses is typically higher than that of apartments or duplexes. To find the most current rental listings in Fairbanks and the surrounding areas, please visit HOMES.mil.

Preferred Tenant Program:

The Preferred Tenant Program is a service provided to Fort Wainwright soldiers who will be residing off post for a year or more during their tour of duty. The PTP, designed specifically for military members and personnel, offers a 3% reduction in market rent rate, as well as reduced security deposits. For more information regarding the PTP, participating providers and program requirements and procedures, contact a housing management specialist with the HSO at 907-353-1190.

Mobile Homes:

There are few mobile homes in the area due to Alaska's extreme weather conditions. Mobile homes are typically not insulated for the extreme weather and increased heating costs can occur.

Home Buyer Information:

If you are thinking about purchasing a home, whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned home-buying professional, the HomeChoice workshop provided by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation can help you make your decision. To register for the free home-buying workshop, please visit the AHFC website or call 907-330-8250. By completing the home-buying course, you can get free answers to all of your questions from unbiased experts.

There are a myriad of resources available to those interested in purchasing a home and who qualify for Veterans Administration benefits. For this benefit information, please research VA pamphlets 26-4, 26-7, and other VA pamphlets and guides.

Utilities:

Off-post housing utilities will vary in cost depending on location, type of utilities and time of year. You can request the monthly average utility cost for specific residences from local utility providers or some property management companies. Fairbanks-area utilities may waive the usual deposit requirement prior to initiating service. Please check with the individual utility providers for more information regarding the criteria and requirements of any deposit-waivers that may be offered.

Visit the In My Area website to search for utility providers based on your ZIP code. This website serves as a one-stop shop where you can explore your options, compare prices and purchase services.

Pets:

While it is understood that pets are valuable members of the household, a pet is a completely personal responsibility that landlords do not assume. The acceptance of pets in rental units is at the discretion of the property owner, landlord or property manager. The majority of rentals do not accept pets. Those that do accept pets usually maintain strict regulatory measures regarding their acceptance, including the number or types of pets that may be accepted.

If you have pets, it is of paramount importance that you begin making your moving plans and rental search at the earliest possible opportunity. The HSO is available to assist you in locating housing that may be pet-friendly. Please note that in accordance with the joint federal travel regulations, temporary lodging allowance will not be authorized due to difficulties in obtaining housing that will accommodate pets.

Commuting Area:

The acceptable commute from off-post rental housing to the installation is a maximum of 30 minutes as measured in extreme adverse weather conditions (extreme cold, ice, fog or snowstorm conditions). The HSO has information on the commute time from the installation to available rental properties and can assist you in ensuring that you are within the recommended guidelines. Contact the HSO at 
907-353-1190 for guidance before signing a rental agreement.

Applicable Legislation:

Anyone entering into a lease agreement should pay close attention to the terms of the lease agreement, including authorized occupants, landlord and tenant responsibilities, required notice of termination and terms surrounding termination. Alaska’s Landlord Tenant Act is based on the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. All lease agreements for military personnel are subject to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The SCRA is a federal law designed to ensure that service members are not disadvantaged in their civil affairs because they have answered their nation’s call to military service. For more information regarding SCRA, please visit SCRA website.

Please keep in mind that your HSO is here to assist with any leasing or rental questions or concerns, including applicable legislation or your rights. If you have any questions or concerns, contact one of the housing management specialists at 907-353-1190.