Naval Station Great Lakes  Housing

Navy Housing Referral Office/ HUNT -- The Navy HRO 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. The HRO 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 obtain/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. 

For information regarding off-base community housing for sale or rent, please contact the Great Lakes Navy HRO. 

H.E.A.T Housing Early Application Tool

WHAT IS HEAT?

HEAT stands for Housing Early Assistance Tool.  Navy Housing has developed HEAT to assist Service Members (SVMs) and their families in obtaining housing information Navywide.  HEAT allows SVMs, DoD sponsored civilians, and their families to get the housing process started online at one or more Navy installations before or after they receive their Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.  HEAT is available to any SVM at all Navy installations.

HEAT creates an easy user experience to connect with your destination.  Spouses can use the tool as well, needing only minimal information about their SVM.
All you need to get started:

• Sponsor's Last Name

• Sponsor's DoD ID number

• Your Contact Information

• New Duty Location(s)

PLEASE NOTE that HEAT does not place you on a wait list and cannot improve your position on a housing wait list.  Wait list position is determined by regulations and a verification of your eligibility by Housing personnel.  HEAT does allow you to make earlier contact and complete an advance or active application with the assistance of a Housing counselor.  HEAT is available to any SVM going to a Navy managed installation.
Want to learn more?

• View our FAQs by clicking the tab above

• Watch the “How to use HEAT” video

• Download the HEAT Brochure

Unaccompanied Housing

Depending on assignment status (shore duty, sea duty, student, etc.) and pay grade, unaccompanied housing (UH) options include barracks or dorms.

Barracks And Dorms

Most personnel, E1-E3 and E4 < 4, are required to live in UH; E4s may be required to live on-base, space permitting. More senior personnel may be eligible to live in UH. Additional on-base UH eligibility information can be found on Navy Housing headquarters website.

There are many advantages to living on-base for single Sailors:

• Secure
• Safe
• Close to work
• Utility bills included
• Free laundry facilities
• Vending and recreational area

UH is conveniently located on NAVSTA Great Lakes, housing approximately 20,000 personnel in 39 buildings under three different types of housing: permanent party, dormitory, and recruits.

Accommodations are one or two persons to a room based on pay grade and square footage. Linens are provided at check-in. UH facilities include lounges equipped with televisions, washers and dryers, and vending machines in all buildings. There are also recreational, fitness, dining, religious, educational and other amenities, most located within walking distance of UH. Additional information on base amenities is available in the Welcome Aboard package.

Resident advisors and geographic bachelors may also reside on-base. RAs are senior personnel who provide an after-hours leadership presence to UH residents. RAs sign a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to certain duties and responsibilities in exchange for a room in UH. The program is strictly voluntary and open to personnel in pay grades E6 to E9 (exceptional E4 and E5 with region commander’s approval), including GBs. For more information about the RA program and to obtain an application, please contact the UH Administrative Office by click the above contact housing tab.

GBs are personnel ordered to the installation who, by choice or circumstance, have decided that their dependents will continue to live in another geographic area. GBs are receiving basic allowance for housing at the with dependents rate. They are not normally authorized to live in UH. GBs must submit an application that will be reviewed by the Assignment Review Board. If approved, the GB will be placed on the waiting list and offered UH on space available basis.

Community Housing

All unaccompanied personnel eligible to live off-base in CONUS are highly encouraged to first check-in at the Housing Service Center. The HSC provides assistance with locating off-base housing in the local area, including:

• HOMES.mil
• Basic allowance for housing 
• Lease reviews
• Issue Resolution
• Move-in or move-out inspections
• Short-term rental or lease information
• Roommate finding (service may not be available due to COVID-19)

For more information, click the above housing services tab.

If you are interested in purchasing property, the Fleet and Family Support Center provides information and classes on home buying.

Temporary lodging accommodations can be obtained by contacting either the Navy Lodge or Navy Gateway Inns & Suites. Both facilities are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When making reservations, please ensure to inform the reservationist if executing permanent change of station orders. To make reservations at the Navy Lodge, call 800-NAVYINN (628-9466) or visit their website. To make reservations at the NGIS, military personnel on PCS orders can call 877-NAVYBED (628-9233), 847-688-3746, or DSN 312-792-3746. Reservations at the NGIS can also be made through the central reservations system website.

The room rate at the Navy Lodge is $70 a night, which includes amenities such as queen-size beds and kitchenette, as well as complimentary breakfast to go served between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Pets no larger than 50 pounds are also allowed at the Navy Lodge at an additional fee for families on PCS orders. Two pets may be accommodated. Room rates and amenities for NGIS can be obtained when making reservations.

Visitors Quarters (temporary duty): Visitors to Naval Station Great Lakes may obtain reservation information by accessing the website or by calling 877-NAVYBED (628-9233). Guests coming here on orders will need a copy of their orders and ID card upon check-in. Use of government travel cards is the preferred method of payment. Major credit cards are accepted, excluding American Express and Discover. Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible.  Check-in time for NGIS is 3 p.m. and check out is 11 a.m. Reservations that are not confirmed prior to 6 p.m. will result in cancellation of reservation.

Bachelor Personnel in the grade E5 and above: Bachelors in the pay grade E5 and above may be authorized to draw basic allowance for housing and live off base.

Geographical Bachelor: Berthed in double occupancy room with shared bathroom. Rooms have limited space and furnishings. Cable TV, DSL and telephone service are available, but each resident is responsible for setting up a contract with the provider. Space to house GBs is limited, so please contact the front desk at 847-688-2170 if intending on applying for GB status.

Note: Approval as a GB for berthing purposes at Naval Station Great Lakes is not guaranteed; must show hardship in GB request.

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