Housing

Hampton Roads military families and eligible single service members (with dependents) may live in private-public venture privatized housing areas throughout the region. Housing is located in and around the base as well as in the local community.

All military personnel, married or single, reporting to sea or shore commands in the Hampton Roads area, are required to report to the Regional Housing Referral Office in Norfolk prior to executing any agreement for nongovernment quarters. The RHRO is authorized to maintain a signed acknowledgment of notification to military members of any housing areas restricted by sanction.

The Hampton Roads region has several housing areas. There are 22 enlisted housing areas with a total of 3,902 units, eight officer housing areas with a total of 226 units and 37 flag officer units. The housing assignment is predicated upon your needs and availability. Wait time can be as little as zero to three months or as long as 18-24 months. For a current list of wait times, go to the Commander, Navy Installation Command housing website.

Priority of assignment to government housing is determined by the date of detachment (control date) from your last permanent duty station, provided you check in and apply for government housing within the first 30 days after your arrival. If you complete the application after the 30-day window, the control date becomes the date you turn in your application.

Policies

Two pets are allowed per family.

Waterbeds may be allowed in PPV housing with some restrictions. Check with the housing manager for permission and insurance requirements.

Smoking is prohibited in some housing units.

For a complete policy statement on privatized housing, refer to the Community Handbook available through the RHRO.

Hampton Roads has a relatively high cost of living with the price of rentals ranging from $700-$3,000 per month. Most rental properties require a first and sometimes last month’s rent for deposit. Many landlords require an additional pet deposit.

It is standard practice for landlords and property managers to run credit history checks on potential tenants. Negative findings may limit your rental options and make the rental process very difficult. If you are having credit issues, the Fleet and Family Support Center staff can help you start the lengthy credit repair process.

Rental Options

Regional Housing Referral Office — Before negotiating a lease or mortgage contract, you are required to check in to the Regional Housing Referral Office to have your orders endorsed as part of your check-in process. The office has a variety of services designed to help military families locate housing, whether they are renting or buying. The Regional Housing Referral Office maintains a database of rental listings.

The Regional Housing Referral Office 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 Regional Housing Referral Office will provide you with a list of rentals 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 coverage after you arrive.

In addition, Hampton Roads Navy Housing Referral Offices offer the Rental Partnership Program, landlord-tenant mediation, and a showing service. Take advantage of the resources available to you before you decide to sign a lease.

Purchase Options

The HRO offers Home Buying workshops and in conjunction with the Fleet and Family Support Center, facilitates Virginia Housing and Development Authority Homeownership workshops. The workshops educate the buyer on the process of purchasing a home, help with understanding financing, working with real estate agents and lenders as well as learning about home inspections. Be it a first-time home buyer or a seasoned buyer — everyone can benefit from the combined local knowledge of the workshop leaders. These workshops are routinely presented. For a current schedule of workshops, contact the Housing Office or your Fleet and Family Support Center.

Houses in Hampton Roads are relatively expensive with the average home sale hovering around $250,000. The housing market in Hampton Roads experiences the same trends as that of other areas. Because this is an area populated by military members there are always new members arriving who will want to purchase instead of rent.

Showing Service

Transportation to view the properties you select is available for personnel without transportation by appointment only.

Realty Workshops

Customers interested in home buying/selling or property management may attend one of these workshops offered, such as: Home Buying, Selling, Property Management and VHDA. The workshops educate the buyer on the process of purchasing a home, help with understanding financing, working with real estate agents and lenders as well as learning about home inspections. Be it a first-time home buyer or a seasoned buyer — everyone can benefit from the combined local knowledge of the workshop leaders. These informative workshops are scheduled routinely.

Veterans Affairs workshops are conducted monthly to provide information to the military homebuyer on the steps necessary to apply for a VA guaranteed no-money-down home mortgage.

Virginia Housing Development Authority Home Purchase

The VHDA offers a Home Ownership Program specifically for military personnel purchasing homes within Virginia. To qualify for reduced mortgage rates, service members must attend a six-hour workshop provided by VHDA. Completion of the course will provide eligible service members the opportunity to purchase a home from a real estate agent of their choice and obtain creative mortgage financing options. For more information, contact a realty specialist at Norfolk Navy Housing Welcome Center, 757-445-2832, 757-445-2803 or 800-628-7510.

Mobile Homes

There are no military-owned mobile home parks on base.

All military personnel, married or single, reporting to sea or shore commands in the Hampton Roads area are required to report to the Regional Housing Referral Office in Norfolk before negotiating a lease or rental agreement for housing. The RHRO is authorized to maintain a signed acknowledgment of notification to military members of any housing areas restricted by sanction.

Availability

There are more than 4,000 family housing units in the Hampton Roads area. Wait times for military housing vary and are dependent on rank, the date of application and bedroom entitlement. Contact the housing office or visit the Navy Housing OneStop website for updated information on wait times and to view housing floor plans.

Applications

Upon receipt of your permanent change of station orders, you may send a copy of your orders and a copy of your Page 2 with a housing application (form DD 1746) to the RHRO. This information and application will be put into a holding file until the active-duty member checks into their command and comes into the RHRO to activate their application. Your application will be backdated to the time of your detachment from your last duty station provided you apply within 30 days after your report. If the date you check in to the RHRO is more than 30 days of your report date, you will go on the waitlist on the date you check into the RHRO. For more detailed information regarding military housing in Hampton Roads, go to the Navy Housing OneStop website.

If the spouse submits the housing application, they will also need to bring a specific power of attorney from the service member.

Policies

Two pets are allowed per family. No Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Presa Canarios, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Wolf hybrids or any mixes thereof are permitted in military housing. No barnyard or exotic pets such as chickens, ducks, ferrets, rabbits and reptiles are allowed.

Waterbeds are allowed in military leased housing with personal insurance. All units are nonsmoking.

Single service members who are E4 over 4 on both shore and sea duty are authorized to reside in the local community and be paid Basic Allowance for Housing. E4 under 4 stationed ashore will stay in the barracks and be put on a waiting list until the bachelor housing manning reaches 95%. E4 under 4 may be eligible to reside out in town and receive BAH entitlements. Barracks restrictions include smoking and overnight guests. All guests must depart from the barracks by 10 p.m.

Single enlisted service members with at least six months left in service can move into the Hampton Roads public/private venture barracks. Service members having less than six months can move into barracks operated by the Navy. Single sailors E4 under 4 who elect to reside in PPV housing will collect the higher rate of the partial BAH. Contact Homeport Hampton Roads at 757-233-3302.

Newly-reporting personnel who are not sure where to check in, or whose ship is not in port should report to the nearest Transient Personnel Unit where the command is home-ported at their assigned base. Call 757-444-1640 for assistance.

Single, unaccompanied E4 and below looking for quarters can contact 757-322-1012/1013 (Building X2).

Application procedures

PPV barracks require signing a lease and filling out an application. The period of the lease is six months for the initial period and then a month-to-month lease will apply.

Service members will need to bring a valid identification card, orders, emergency contact name, and an address and phone number where the member can be reached. In addition, the member must bring an automobile license plate number, a contact number and work number and a copy of the most current leave and earnings statement.

There is no application fee for PPV barracks; however, the service member will be required to pay a security deposit and the first months rent if an allotment is not set up.

Currently all PPV units are located on or adjacent to Naval Station Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia. Floor plans and further information are available at Homeport Hampton Roads.

Government managed barracks locations:

• Naval Station Norfolk: 757-322-1012/1013
• NAS Oceana: 757-433-3791/3978
• Dam Neck Annex: 757-492-6824
• Little Creek Amphibious Base: 757-462-4860
• Northwest Annex: 757-421-8793/8066
• Norfolk Naval Shipyard: 757-396-3372

Availability

Availability at enlisted barracks in Norfolk is on a space available basis. Currently the enlisted barracks are at 95% capacity. Northwest Annex currently has availability. They can be reached at 757-421-8793.

Newly-reporting officers may be afforded transient berthing for thirty days at any of the seven Navy Gateway Inns and Suites serving the Hampton Roads region, on a space available basis. Two types of rooms; Standard Queen and Deluxe Queen. Other options; one pet room and two ADA rooms. For reservations call 757-394-9053 or 877-628-9233.

Off-base housing

Single service members and geographic bachelors are strongly encouraged to check-in with housing before starting an independent housing search. The Housing Office helps service members find housing in the local community and offers information on the Rental Partnership Program. The Human Resources Office has up-to-date listings of affordable apartments, condos and mobile homes as well as a database of available houses for rent. Most rental properties require a six to 12 month lease; be sure your lease includes a military clause. There are very few furnished apartments for rent. The Housing Office can help with lease screening and tenant rights and relations. Service members should call 800 628-7510 or 757-445-2832 to speak to a housing counselor for more information.

Renters and liability insurance

Tenants living in privatized family housing and in the community should consider the issue of insurance. There are two types of insurance of which you should be aware: renters insurance and liability insurance. Renters insurance covers your personal property and will normally replace items if they are damaged or stolen. If you live in privatized family housing, tenants must get their own rental policy.

Liability insurance covers damage to the structure such as a stove fire or flooding due to a leaky waterbed. Liability insurance also covers you in the case of a lawsuit if someone should be injured in the structure you are renting due to your negligence. Some insurance policies provide both personal property and liability coverage at a slightly increased premium.

All personnel are encouraged to seriously consider the need for both renters and liability insurance. A general liability policy is inexpensive and well worth the cost.

Family members designated as Categories IV and V EFMs are severely disabled, and Navy Housing strives to provide permanency in living arrangements.  As a result, EFM Categories IV and V are placed directly below the freeze zone (top 10% of any waitlist). When two or more members are waiting for assignment, the higher of the EFM categories will be given priority in assignment.  If members are designated in the same EFM Category, the actual control date will determine the priority of assignment unless written notification is provided by the medical authority indicating unique circumstances. Other EFM categories and situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Some units are handicap accessible and available upon request. Adjustments may be made as necessary within houses in other areas. All housing is air-conditioned. Generators are not part of the standard equipment offered with privatized housing. Housing requires a copy of page 8 of the DD2278. If declining first house option, you will be offered a second option. If you decline second option, you will go to the bottom of the wait list.

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 Hampton Roads region has several housing areas. There are 22 enlisted housing areas with a total 3,902 units including eight officer housing areas with a total of 226 units and 37 flag officer units. The housing assignment is predicated upon your needs and availability. Wait time can be as little as zero to three months or as long as 18-24 months. For a current list of wait times, go to the CNIC Housing website.