Relocation Assistance

Relocation Assistance & Reverse Sponsorship Program

Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Naval Station Great Lakes

Relocating can be overwhelming, but you don't have to go through it alone. The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) offers full-spectrum relocation support to ensure that transitioning Sailors and their families have a smooth and informed PCS experience whether you're heading to a ship, shore command, CONUS or OCONUS.

Base Housing & Off-Base Housing Resources

On-Base Housing at NSGL

On-base family housing for Naval Station Great Lakes is managed by Hunt Military Communities under the Public-Private Venture (PPV) partnership. Options include:

• 2- to 5-bedroom homes for families of varying sizes
• Pet-friendly units (restrictions apply)
• Community amenities such as parks, playgrounds, fitness centers, and walking trails
• Maintenance services included

Housing Office Location:
Naval Station Great Lakes Family Housing
Building 8100
Phone: 847-689-4312

Website: https://www.navygreatlakesfamilyhousing.com/

Important: Active-duty service members must check in with the Housing Service Center before making any off-base housing arrangements.

Off-Base Housing Assistance

If you're seeking housing in the surrounding Lake County, Illinois area (such as North Chicago, Waukegan, Gurnee, or Libertyville), FFSC and the Housing Service Center (HSC) can help you:

• Review current rental listings and prices
• Learn about military clauses in leases
• Understand tenant rights and local ordinances
• Get referrals for temporary lodging and short-term leases
• Access HOMES.mil, the official DoD website for off-base rental listings

Rental Price Range:

• 1 Bedroom: $1,000–$1,400/month
• 2 Bedroom: $1,400–$1,800/month
• 3+ Bedroom: $1,800–$2,400+/month (varies by location and amenities)

Don’t forget: Application fees, security deposits, pet fees, and utilities may not be included in rent.

Relocation Resource Centers (3 Locations)

NSGL has three relocation resource centers with computers, printers, CAC access, and support staff to assist with:

• Creating a move in DPS (Defense Personal Property System)
• Searching for housing, base maps, schools, and childcare
• Budgeting for your PCS move
• Printing welcome aboard packets and checklists

Locations:

• FFSC Headquarters – Building 26
• SWESC – Building 236
• SCSTC – Building 621

Household Goods (HHG), PPM, NTS, and More

Types of Moves:

• HHG (Household Goods): Government-coordinated full-service move
• PPM (Personally Procured Move): DIY move; potentially reimbursable
• NTS (Non-Temporary Storage): Store HHG for up to 90 days for CONUS; longer for OCONUS or unique situations
• CONUS/OCONUS: Specialized moves depending on duty station type

For more information, please visit Navy Household Goods website.

Pro Tip: Contact the Personal Property Office for counseling on your entitlements and weight limits.

More information about PCS'ing to your next duty station please review the PCS Guide 2025

Personal Property

Location: Building 8100
855-444-6683

DPS

Sailors must register with DPS to:

• Schedule shipments
• Request storage
• Track move status
• Upload weight tickets for PPM
• File claims

Need Help? Resource Center staff can walk you through the system.

OCONUS Moves – Special Considerations

• DEA (Dependent Entry Approval) must be approved for family travel overseas. Please talk with your CPPA or CPC for information about DEA.
• Rules and restrictions vary greatly by country
• Some bases prohibit pets or POVs
• Medical care and EFMP clearance may be required
• OCONUS shipping includes possible storage, one POV shipment, and additional paperwork

Shipping Pets and Vehicles

• Pet shipping is not covered by the government
• You’ll need to meet host-nation pet import rules (e.g., Japan, Italy, Guam, etc.)
• POV shipping is authorized for most OCONUS orders (one vehicle per family)
• Use Vehicle Processing Centers (VPCs) for drop-off and pickup visit PCSMYPOV for more information.

Reverse Sponsorship Program

Reverse Sponsorship helps Sailors departing “A” or “C” school connect with their next command sponsor before PCS.

Services include:

• Connecting Sailors with their ship/shore command sponsor
• Sending an electronic welcome aboard packet for their next duty station
• Preparing questions to ask about housing, transportation, uniforms, and check-in
• Ensuring a smoother PCS with minimal confusion

FFSC will contact the gaining command on your behalf if you haven’t heard from them within 30 days of receiving orders.

Personal Property & Entitlements Counseling

Visit the Personal Property Office or FFSC to get help with:

• Understanding your PCS entitlements
• Reviewing HHG weight limits by rank
• Creating a move plan
• Filing reimbursement and damage claims
• Special circumstances like early return of dependents, dual-military families, and more

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may be offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

The Fleet and Family Support Center offers one-on-one consultations providing information about both military and community resources such as schools, housing, employment, and recreation. Other services include local Welcome Aboard Packets. Please call-in advance for item availability, 847-688-3603 FFSC Great Lakes.