Housing

How is the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) set for each area?

The Services have agreed to housing standards that allow members to receive BAH that correlates to what civilians who earn comparable amounts would pay for housing. That is, they use housing standards to link housing costs with a particular pay grade. Of course, members are free to choose where to live and in what type of dwelling. The standards are necessary to enable the Services to forecast BAH costs for budgeting purposes. Actual member choices, however, do not influence the determination of rates.

Depending on your choice of rental, unit costs can be higher than the housing allowances. Most rental agencies require a first and sometimes last month rental deposit with additional charges for pets. The average cost to rent on the island or within an hour commute, can range from $1200-$2800 per month again, depending on type, size and location of the rental property.

The average monthly utility payments can range from $72-$250 for electricity and $62-$183 for natural gas. Many rental properties and houses are all electric. Some rentals include water, sewage, and garbage as part of the rental payment; however, some do not and the minimum service through the City of Oak Harbor could cost over $120 per month.

It is a standard practice in this area for property managers to run a credit check on prospective tenants. The credit check will include previous rental history, background survey, and criminal record. Negative findings may limit your rental options and may make this process very difficult. If you are having credit issues, the Fleet and Family Support Center staff can help you start the lengthy repair process.

Rental Options

A few rental properties for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island are listed on the HOMES.mil website. Please contact the Housing Service Center (HSC) at 360-257-3331 to address your housing needs with a housing counselor.

The HSC is your contact for any problems you may encounter such as discrimination complaints, tenant/landlord disputes, or any questions or problems about on or off-base housing. The HSC will provide you a list of rentals with corresponding locator maps and give you information regarding the communities in which the rentals are located. All renters should carry renters insurance against fire, theft and other damages. The property owner's insurance will cover the property but not the renter's personal property. Transfer your coverage after you arrive.

Purchase Options

The Fleet and Family Support Center offers Home Buying Seminars approximately four times per year to help educate future homebuyers on the process. At these seminars, you will learn how much house you can afford to include overall cost and monthly payment, what mortgage brokers look for on your credit reports, how to look for and work with a real estate agent, what to expect at the closing, how to read a contract, and many more helpful home buying hints, tips, and the pitfalls to avoid. To find out when the next Home Buying Seminar will be held, call 360-257-NAVY (6289).

For information on the Veterans Affairs Guaranty Home Loan, visit their website.

Houses on the island are relatively expensive with the median cost of purchasing a house starting at $470,000 with the typical 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house with a view costing as much as $600,000 or more. The housing market here has the same ups and downs that other areas experience. Because this is a military town, there are always new people arriving who desire to own their own home.

Mobile Homes

There are no mobile home parks onboard the installation but there are several community mobile home parks in Oak Harbor. If you are bringing a home with you, many parks have available space for existing homes. However, please make arrangements before you arrive.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island's government housing has been converted to Public Private Venture (PPV) and is optional. There are currently 1,490 housing units available. Maylor Point, Forbes Point, Maylor Glacier, and Coral Sea Housing are the only housing areas located behind a fence and security gate onboard the installation on the Seaplane Base. All other housing areas are located off-base on government property with the majority located just outside the Seaplane Base. Whidbey Apartments and one farm house are located just outside the main base. As part of a negotiated waterfall between the PPV Partner and the Navy, some PPV housing may be an option for single service members, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, military retirees and some true civilians, depending on the occupancy rate; however, qualifying military families will always have priority.

Application process:

1. The date of detachment from the previous permanent duty station if the application is submitted within 30 days of the reporting date.  If the detachment letter is not provided, your control date will be the last day of the month you detached.

2.  If the Service Member does not apply or confirm their housing application within 30 days of report date, the control date is the date the HSC receives the complete application package.

Control dates set your position on the waitlist. Waiting times vary depending on bedroom entitlements and zoned area for pay grade. It may be necessary for you to make other arrangements in the civilian community until PPV housing becomes available, you may contact the local HSC for further information. You may want to consider a pre-move house-hunting trip to facilitate your move to Whidbey Island.

All PPV residents must complete an application (DD 1746) to include the Registered Sex Offender Policy Statement (IAW OPNAVINST 1752.3). Washington State requires ALL sex offenders register with state and local law enforcement. If you are a convicted sex offender, this will prevent you from being assigned housing because sex offenders are not allowed to reside in PPV housing in Washington State. Other documentation is required; you may contact the local HSC for further information.

Having a pet is a conditional privilege and the Pet Addendum must be completed with the PPV partner for all pets, not just cats and dogs. All PPV residents must comply with state and local laws governing pet ownership such as licensing and vaccinations. All pets in PPV housing are required to be micro-chipped, which is available at the base veterinary clinic. Residents are financially and legally responsible for all pets and any damage or harm they may cause. PPV Housing does have a $250 refundable pet deposit.

PPV residents are required under the Universal Lease to obtain and carry renter's insurance. A copy must be provided as proof to the PPV Partner. The PPV Partner can provide renter’s insurance for a monthly fee.

For the most up-to-date housing information contact the Navy Housing Service Center (HSC) at 360-257-3331

Service members with eligible family members must check in with the Housing Services Center in Building 2556 either in person, by phone or by email, within 30 days of arrival. This does not obligate you to move into Public/Private Venture housing. Please contact the HSC for up-to-date information.

Housing Neighborhoods

Photos complete with floor plans may be viewed in the photo gallery at the Northwest Military Housing website

Enlisted E1-E6:

• Whidbey Apartments (E1-E6) – 74 townhouse-style units located outside the main base, Langley Gate. Units are two or three bedrooms. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Victory Terrace (E1-E6) -- Townhouse style, located just outside the Seaplane Base, Maui Gate. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Saratoga Heights -- 286 units; two, three and four bedrooms 
• Victory Park -- 200 units; two, three and four bedrooms 
• Rockhill Terrace -- 106 units; two bedrooms 
• Oriole Street - Single-family homes; 61 units; located outside the Seaplane Base Maui Gate. These units are three and four bedrooms. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Crescent Harbor (E1-E6) – Single-family homes; located outside the Seaplane Base, Torpedo Gate.
• Crescent Harbor I – Single-family homes; 158 units. Units are three- and four-bedroom PPV renovated homes. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum). 
• Crescent Harbor II – Single-family homes; 128 units. Crescent Harbor Navy-renovated are three and four bedrooms. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum). 
• Crescent Harbor III -- Single-family homes; 184 units. These units are three and four bedrooms. The majority are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Maylor Point (E6) – Single-family homes; 46 units; located on the Seaplane Base. Units have three and four bedrooms and all are renovated. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Maylor Point FAF (E6) – Single-family homes and duplex-style homes; 21 units; located on the Seaplane Base. Units have three and four bedrooms. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).

Khaki E7-O6:

• Maylor Point (E7-O3) – Single-family homes; 115 units; located on the Seaplane Base. Units are three and four bedrooms and all are renovated. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Maylor Coral (E7-E9) – Single-family homes; 42 units; located on the Seaplane Base. These units are three and four bedrooms. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Maylor Glacier (W1-03) – Single-family homes; 35 units; located on the Seaplane Base. These units are three and four bedrooms. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).
• Forbes Point (O4-O5) – Single-family homes; 37 units; located on the Seaplane Base. These units are three and four bedrooms. All are pet-friendly units (two pets maximum).

Single Service Member Housing:

Service members checking into Unaccompanied Housing must report to the front desk at Building 380 on Princeton Drive, to check in and get a room key. All residents are required to complete the Registered Sex Offender addendum. This facility is open 24 hours, seven days a week.

The UH is programmed to house single service members in pay grades E4 and below. Single E5 and above are not required to live in UH. To live off base, a service member must route a request chit with the associated documents through their command and the command will send it to UH for processing and approval of their basic allowance for housing from the base Commanding Officer.

All UH rooms are completely furnished and centrally located for quick access to the galley and most hangars. Laundry facilities are available in all UH buildings and kitchen facilities are available in all buildings. Cooking and smoking are not allowed in any bedrooms; there are designated smoking areas. Guest policies for all UH residents are posted at each UH entrance. There are 11 UH buildings onboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island with a variety of room styles.

There are many housing options off the installation from apartments to houses to mobile homes. Most rental properties require a 6- to 12-month lease. Be sure your lease includes a military clause. There are very few furnished rentals available.

Exceptional Family Member Housing:

When applying for PPV housing, the position on the housing waitlist for family members designated as Category IV and V Exceptional Family Members will be adjusted accordingly to place them directly below the freeze zone (top 10% of every housing waitlist).

Eligibility for housing within these categories does not ensure availability or assignment into PPV housing. There are two-bedroom Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible units in the Rockhill Terrace housing area and two-, three- and four-bedroom accessible units in Victory Park, as well as a few in the modern-style areas. Adjustments may be made as necessary within homes in other areas as required. None of the PPV housing in this area has air conditioning nor are generators provided. Other requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Contact the HSC at 360-257-3331 for more information.

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.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island's government housing has been converted to Public Private Venture and is optional. There are currently 1,495 housing units available. Maylor Point and Forbes Point Housing are the only housing areas located onboard the installation on the Seaplane Base. All other housing areas are located on government property with the majority located just outside the Seaplane Base. Whidbey Apartments are located just outside the main base. Wait times vary according to bedroom entitlement and availability of units within each zoned area. Call the Housing Services Center, at 360-257-3331, for availability. Hunt Military Communities is our privatized partner and can be reached at 360-447-5800.