OHA survey critical

U.S. Army Europe is asking service members in Germany who are residing off post in privately leased or rental housing to take part in the annual housing survey. The survey is instrumental in ensuring accurate housing allowance rates for military families living off post.

This survey is critical in ensuring Overseas Housing Allowance rates are properly set at overseas locations and directly affects the amount of housing allowance paid to service members.

“Taking the survey allows service members to have a direct impact on the amount of utility and recurring maintenance allowance they will draw as part of their Overseas Housing Allowance,” said Randall Ries, Germany Country Allowance coordinator.

The Defense Travel Management office began its monthlong OHA utility survey March 1.

“Individual responses to questions are kept confidential,” Ries said. “Last year, service members saw a $14 a month increase to the utility allowance. In 2012, we had a $59 increase, and, in 2013, we had a $17 increase.”

An exemption from this survey includes homeowners or those sharing rent with another service member.

Spouses are authorized to take the survey if the service member is deployed or unavailable.
The survey will be active until March 31 and can be found online at  www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/oha-util-mar.cfm.