Housing

Family Housing

The Commander, Navy Region Southwest Family Housing Welcome Center at Naval Base San Diego is responsible for assignment of military housing and provision of community housing referrals to all military families in San Diego, including Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Marine Corps Recruit Depot. It is highly recommended that each service member and family check in to the CNRSW Family Housing Welcome Center upon arrival to San Diego. For more information, please visit the CNRSW Family Housing website or call the CNRSW Family Housing Welcome Center at 619-556-8443.

There are over 9,000 government homes located in 38 housing sites throughout San Diego. Of these homes, approximately 8,600 are enlisted units and 600 are officer units. Depending on the housing site selected, waiting times can be as little as 0-3 months or as long as 18-24 months. Please see the housing website for more information on housing availability, size of quarters, waiting time and pet restrictions.

San Diego has entered into a public private venture with Lincoln BP Management, Inc., a private property management company. Members who reside in a PPV unit are required to sign a six-month lease and pay (via allotment) the equivalent of the member's monthly Basic Allowance for Housing rate. Some neighborhoods offer discounted rates. The Navy has joined Lincoln to improve and expand housing for service members and their families. Remember to consider rental insurance for when occupying government housing to cover your personal property. For more information and details on the housing neighborhoods in the San Diego area, including photos and floor plans, visit the Lincoln Military Housing website.

All officers and enlisted personnel with accompanying dependents are eligible to apply for Military Family Housing. MFH is limited and may be applied for at the CNRSW Family Housing Welcome Center located at NBSD or you may send the required documents by email to web.housing@navy.mil. In order to apply, you are required to have the following:

• Assessment package for housing (download here)
• A copy of orders showing your detachment date
• Certification of bona fide family members, either through the emergency data application (Page 2) or the record of emergency data
• A copy of your leave and earnings statement

All personnel are required to renew their applications every six months. Renewal may be made in person or by telephone at 619-556-8443 or DSN 312-526-8443. The CNRSW Family Housing Welcome Center recommends the service member or spouse periodically check with the center regarding the status of your application. Failure to provide current information may result in a delay in your assignment to housing.

The Department of Defense relies on the local community to provide the majority of housing occupied by military personnel and their families. Since military family housing is only built when there is a shortage of suitable, affordable housing in the private sector, most military families live in off-base rental or privately-owned properties. In San Diego, many military families live in housing in the private sector.

Basic Allowance for Housing is a tax-free housing allowance provided to military members (with and without dependents) who are authorized to reside off base at government expense. BAH amounts are determined by location, rank and whether or not the member has dependents.

The cost of purchasing a home in San Diego varies widely and the average cost of housing in San Diego is high compared to other locations around the country. Opportunities to purchase or rent are available throughout the county and the types of housing available are as varied as the communities therein. Single-family homes, condos, townhouses and apartments are available throughout the private sector.

Military housing tenants are protected by the same state and federal fair housing and consumer protection laws as civilian tenants. Due to the DOD's authority to relocate military members to new assignments without their consent, Congress enacted legislation that permits military tenants to lawfully terminate rental contracts early without penalty when they receive military orders to relocate. In times of war, members may be deployed for extended periods without the worry of owing rent on units they could not occupy. Contact the Region Legal Services Office for information on protections afforded by the Service Members Civil Relief Act.

There are many and varied mobile home communities in the San Diego local community. Speak with the Commander, Navy Region Southwest Family Housing Welcome Center to find out more information. There are no government mobile home parks in the San Diego area.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation website offers information on recreational vehicle parks for vacations.

Commander Navy Region Southwest Family Housing Welcome Center is your contact for any problems you may encounter such as discrimination complaints, tenant/landlord disputes, or any questions or problems about off-base housing. Staff can provide you a list of rentals and 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. Be sure to transfer coverage from your previous home after you arrive.

Availability

While the average cost of housing in San Diego is high, opportunities to purchase or rent are available throughout the county and the types of housing available are as varied as the communities therein. Single-family homes, condos, townhouses and apartments are available throughout the private sector.

Rental Partnership Program

The San Diego Housing Service Center is partnering with local landlords to provide active-duty military personnel with affordable off-base housing. All participating landlords will offer:

· Waived application/credit fees

· Reduced deposits

· Rental rates below the market rent

To qualify, you must have orders to a San Diego command with at least one year remaining in the San Diego area, at least one year remaining in active-duty service, good rental history, and be receiving San Diego Basic Allowance for Housing. Rent must be paid by allotment. Required documents include your permanent change of station orders to a San Diego command and a copy of your leave and earnings statement. For more information, please contact the San Diego Housing Service Center at 619-556-8443.

Deposits and Fees

Many real estate agents/landlords require fees to process your application. This fee offsets their expense for verifying your credit references, employment history, etc. Any unused portion of the fee must be refunded to the applicant. A landlord is also required by law to send a copy of an applicant's credit report if requested by the applicant.

In California, a security deposit for unfurnished residential property may be twice the cost of rent. For furnished apartments, the landlord may charge up to three times the rent.

In California, there are no non-refundable security deposits. No matter what it’s called, all money you pay in addition to your first month’s rent is refundable. Non-refundable deposits are illegal according to Section 1950.5 of the California Civil Code.

Pet Deposits

Many San Diego landlords prohibit pets while others will allow them with an additional deposit or non-refundable fee. The amount may vary according to the type, size and number of pets. There may also be an additional monthly charge for allowing your pets.

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.

San Diego's Military Housing Welcome Center offers personalized housing services to help with temporary and long-term apartment, condo, and home rentals, in addition to home buying counseling. All military personnel, unaccompanied and accompanied, their families, and DoD employees are eligible for these services. Call 619-556-8443 or visit the Metro San Diego Family Housing Center, located onboard Naval Base San Diego at 2625 LeHardy Street, Bldg 3544, San Diego, CA 92136. You may also visit the Navy Housing website.