Housing

The U.S. Housing Services Office (HSO) provides housing referral services for housing within 30 minutes commute from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Services include lease negotiation, in-inspection preparation, pre and final out-inspections, tenant assistance and residential security surveys.

The SHAPE International Housing Office (SIHO) allocates officers and enlisted housing on SHAPE installations in the SHAPE Village housing area.

 NOTE : Shape Village is located inside SHAPE, but is considered Private Rental for the US and is not managed by the USAG Benelux Housing Office.

Types of Housing

There are three types of housing available for U.S. members: government-leased housing, private rental housing, and SHAPE Village. The SIHO is your single point of contact for SHAPE Village, in Bldg. 210, (Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. / lunch 1-2 p.m.

Eligibility

All military and Department of Defense civilians are eligible to receive assistance from the HSO.

Availability

For an updated estimated waiting list, check online.

To be issued loaner sets and permanent-use items, you must complete the furniture customer request sheet from the Housing Services Office on SHAPE, in Building 209, or from the Centralized Furnishings Management Office in Building 23, Chievres.

The request plus a copy of your permanent change of station orders showing the number of family members are to be provided to the CFMO. Eligible DoD civilians that are authorized LQA also need to provide a Certificate of Assignment (COA).

When you have a permanent address, a copy of the lease is to be provided and a delivery date will be scheduled. At the time of delivery, you should inspect all items and ensure that your hand receipt of issue document accurately reflects the condition code and quantity. You and your spouse are responsible for the signed document issued to you.

Wait lists are maintained for permanent-issue items in short supply.

NOTE: There is no Privatized Housing in Europe, it is Private Rental Housing (PRH)

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m., an initial briefing is provided to newcomers to let them know the best ways to find a house and the minimum important information on Belgian regulations.

For PRH in outside of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, the Housing Services Office uses a 1st come, 1st served option tracking system which avoids discrimination among SHAPE members. The first person to send an email to HSO (usarmy.benelux.id-europe.mbx.dpw-housing@army.mil) clearly stating that he/she wants to accept a house  will claim the house.

To view the home in advance, the customers will sit with our counselors to make house visit appointments on their behalf. Visits will not be made via email or phone call. Once a lease is initiated, a representative will set up the necessary appointments and walk you through the process. Please be aware of our hours of operation so we can successfully assist you.

Temporary Lodging Allowance

Concurrent travel is authorized for families on orders to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Chievres. A Temporary Lodging Allowance is authorized in 15-day increments not to exceed 60 days; 90% of personnel are able to find housing within the 30-day period. 

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.

Personnel

HSO: It is the responsibility of USAG Benelux Housing Services Office (HSO) to assist personnel in locating adequate housing. The USAG Benelux HSO has the responsibility for the assignment and termination of all U.S. Service Members and eligible DOD Civilians in Government Leased Quarters, Private Rental Housing (PRH) and Centralized Furnishings Management Office (CFMO) for appliances and loaner furniture.

SHAPE Village is not managed by HSO. Shape International Housing Office (SIHO) only assists with assignment to housing on SHAPE (SHAPE Village) for SHAPE I.D. cardholders.

Officer Family Housing: Not available (except for positions approved by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) as Key and Essential positions and all will be issued a "Certificate of Non-Availability" to obtain housing in the local economy.

• E7-E9 and Officers Housing: Not available; all will be issued "Certificate of Non-Availability" (CNA) to obtain housing in the local economy.
• Enlisted Unaccompanied Housing (Barracks):
• Barracks/BEQ: E-6 and below
• Unaccompanied housing (UH) is available at the HSO for single and unaccompanied personnel. If facilities are not available, a CNA will be issued and must be obtained before seeking accommodations elsewhere. Service members should report to their respective elements for guidance.

In-processing at Housing

In-processing at the Housing Services Office is by appointment ONLY. There are two steps to In-process US Housing. First, the 0830 Brief, (if required, no appointment necessary) and a separate In-processing appointment (Required for ALL). During the in processing, we need orders and amendments for Military, for Civilians we need Official Orders and a Certificate of Assignment (COA) and Official Orders for Contractors. TLA (for military only) will also be processed at the HSO. If available, enlisted government quarters will be assigned to E-6s and below. Otherwise, they will be given a certificate of non-availability to reside off-post.

For off post housing, you must make face to face appointments with our counselors to visit any off-post residence. All Service Members (Military only) have the option to request assistance from HSO in initiating Alarm system if they are residing in the local economy. 

If you choose to live in SHAPE Village you must go to the Shape International Housing office (SIHO) in Building 210. The US Housing office is not affiliated with SHAPE Village and does not own or control housing on SHAPE. SIHO has information concerning the availability of apartments and houses on SHAPE. To apply for SHAPE Village complete the application form given at the SIHO, Bldg 210, have your National Military Representative or commander endorse the application, and return it to SIHO for processing.

To request SHAPE Village, contact SIHO. SHAPE Village consists of all ranks apartments and officer houses located on SHAPE. The allocation of these quarters is governed by SHAPE directive 100-3 and is based on the size of your family.

Selecting a House

Select houses listed on Homes.mil using the Listing ID #. Come to HSO and sign-in (Bldg 209 at SHAPE) in order to seek assistance from a Housing Personnel. They will then contact the current tenant or the landlord to set up an appointment to see the house. The Housing Services Office uses a 1st come 1st served option tracking system which avoids discrimination among SHAPE members.

Signing the Lease

After selecting a house (you were 1^st come 1^st served), the Housing Services Office will schedule an appointment for you and your future landlord to sign the lease. The HSO will prepare all necessary documents for the lease signing and give you a standard HSO contract. Before arriving at the contract appointment, you need to know your furniture delivery date, understand the contract clauses, and ensure that anything the landlords have promised will be included in the contract. During the contract appointment, a customer assistant will discuss your responsibilities such as the security deposit, utilities, home security, lease registration, taxes, garbage, Belgian rental laws, etc.

The In-Inspection

At the lease signing, the housing office will give you the date for the move in-inspection which should take place within 30 days of arrival. This inspection is a thorough and accurate description of the property so that you will not be held responsible for pre-existing deficiencies.

Be prepared for the inspection by carefully inspecting your home and testing the equipment, and then inform the inspector about deficiencies. The inspector will explain verbally in English and record the inspection in English and French on the in-inspection report. The inspector will also explain the functioning of the major appliances and equipment in the house. Ask questions, take notes, and feel comfortable using the equipment in the house before letting the inspector go.

Centralized Furnishings Management Office (CFMO)

For military families and eligible DOD civilian personnel that are authorized LQA, furniture and appliances are provided in two categories - temporary and permanent issue. Temporary issue loaner sets are available for use for a maximum of 90 days upon occupying quarters prior to receiving household goods, and 60 days after shipment of Household Goods.

A loaner set consists of beds, mattresses and slat beds, chest of drawers, night tables, dining table and chairs, upholstered sofa and chairs, coffee table and end tables. Permanent issue items are washers, dryers, ranges (gas or electric), refrigerators, dishwashers, wardrobes (if they don't exist in assigned quarters).

Bachelor/Unaccompanied Military personnel residing on the economy are entitled furniture, furnishings and equipment for the full length of their tour. Entitlements include a washer, dryer, range (gas or electrical), refrigerator, dishwasher, dining table and chairs, sofa, easy chairs, lamps, coffee and end tables, single bed, chest of drawers, night table and two wardrobes, provided like items are not stored or shipped at Government expense. (Exceptions to policy can be obtained only upon written request and justification addressed to the Chief, CFMO, USAG Benelux, UNIT 21419, ATTN: IMEU-CHV-PWH, APO AE 09708-1419).

Appliance Availability

Government-owned appliances will be delivered, installed, repaired and picked-up by the appliances contractor. Paperwork is completed at CFMO and the delivery date will be coordinated with your furniture delivery, if possible. You should contact the Customer Service Representative at DSN 314-361-5386/5387/5389 to verify the date of installation/pick-up. Should repair be required after delivery, call the Customer Service Representative at the numbers above. The contractor normally repairs appliances within two working days. At the time of scheduled repairs, the contractor will determine if a replacement is necessary and will schedule an exchange. The following time limits for exchange apply to: Refrigerators, freezers, ranges - 24 hours. Washers, dryers, dishwashers - 72 hours. Wardrobes and kitchen cabinets are not provided for SHAPE Village, government housing areas or economy quarters with built-in facilities. Because of plumbing systems, only European washers can be installed in houses without hot water connection. Wardrobes are issued to families according to the number of family members (if they don't exist in assigned quarters). Bachelors and unaccompanied personnel residing on the economy are entitled to two wardrobes.

Household Goods

The following items should not be shipped to Belgium: stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers and waterbeds. Belgium is a full joint travel regulation (FJTR) weight allowance area and all furniture may be shipped. Should you bring everything you own? Obviously, this is a personal decision, but the following may help. House size in Belgium varies. Older houses tend to have larger rooms, especially bedrooms while newer houses have much smaller rooms. Staircases may be steep and queen or king size mattresses may not fit. There are generally no closets and little storage space.