An evaluation of housing options for military families

Military family housing is a significant-and expensive-benefit, costing the Department of Defense (DoD) nearly $10 billion annually. Because most housing studies have focused on the cost of on-base housing versus the cost of providing allowances for rented or owned off-base housing, the authors investigated the preferences of military families for types of housing and the factors that influence their choices. Service members report that the economic benefits of on-base housing are the most significant factor by far in housing preference, perceiving a vast difference in value between military housing and off-base housing allowances. All other factors, such as a supportive sense of military community, lag far behind economy in influencing choice. Closing the gap in economic disparity between on- and off-base housing, and enhancing programs that aid service members in procuring off-base accommodations, would provide the greatest benefit to services and members. Military Family Housing Is A Significant-and Expensive-benefit, Costing The Department Of Defense (dod) Nearly $10 Billion Annually. Because Most Housing Studies Have Focused On The Cost Of On-base Housing Versus The Cost Of Providing Allowances For Rented Or Owned Off-base Housing, The Authors Investigated The Preferences Of Military Families For Types Of Housing And The Factors That Influence Their Choices. Ch. 1. Introduction -- Ch. 2. Overview Of Study -- How And Why Do Families Choose The Housing They Live In? -- What Are Families' Attitudes Towards Living In Military Communities? -- What Are The Cost Differences? -- How Do The Housing Decisions Of Military And Civilian Families Compare? -- Ch. 3. Housing Preferences Of Military Families -- Description Of Survey -- A Description Of Housing Choices And Preferences -- Ch. 4. Housing Choices Among Military Families -- Model Of Housing Choice -- Method 1: Preferences For Military Housing Under Existing Policies -- Method 2: Housing Choices Under Alternative Housing Options -- Method 3: Characteristics Of Members With Strong Preferences For Military Housing -- Summary And Conclusions From Housing Survey -- Ch. 5. A Comparison Of The Housing Choices Of Military And Civilian Families -- Data -- Analysis And Results -- App. A. Selection Of Bases For The Housing Survey -- App. B. Sample Selection And Survey Distribution For The Housing Survey -- App. C. Housing Survey Questionnaire -- App. D. Survey Response And Weighting Issues -- App. E. Hedonic Rent Equation Adjusted For Self-selection Of Renters. Richard Buddin ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 163-166).