Housing Overview 

Mandatory base housing on Okinawa Effective 1 August 2009, all service members assigned to Okinawa on accompanied orders will be required to reside on-base. Additionally, unaccompanied gunnery sergeants, staff sergeants, second lieutenants through captains and warrant officers-1 through chief warrant officers-3 may no longer elect off base housing and will be assigned to respective bachelor quarters. Unaccompanied master sergeants, first sergeants, chief warrant officer-4 and above and majors and above, may decline base housing, but must first request approval through their chain of command. Exceptions to the policy must be routed up the service member’s chain of command for approval, according to MCO P11000.22 and MCBJO P11000.2B. For more information on the new housing policy contact your service sponsor prior to arriving on Okinawa.

All accompanied personnel must report to the housing office for application upon arrival to Okinawa, "after checking in with their new command."

Effective 1 May 2004, the "Live Where You Work" policy significantly changed. The DoD standard for commute time between home and work is 60 minutes or less. Units will be offered on the principle that individuals will be housed in an area within reasonable geographic proximity to their work station. The Central, Northern and Southern Boundaries will be eliminated and instead, customers will be offered available units within the DoD standard 60 minute commute area. Customers will generally be offered units closest to their duty location but will no longer have the option to wait for a unit at a specific location. Additionally, customers will no longer have the option to wait for a specific unit type (single, multiplex, duplex, or tower). The first available unit for grade and bedroom requirement will be offered based on the location priority. This policy will ensure, overall, that residents will be located as close as possible to their duty location and allow the DoD Family Housing Office to meet the required occupancy rate.

There is a "no pets in the towers" rule. Personnel who will be at Kinser, for example, may want to consider not bringing pets with them. However, if they do, they may be subjecting themselves to living on the economy for their entire tour.

See images of typical government housing units on Okinawa using the links below.

There are multiple types, styles and sized dwellings available in Okinawa. Everything from studio apartments to four bedroom houses. Pets are not always allowed in off-base housing units, a pet deposit is required (usually $300.00) to cover any potential damage caused by the pet. For the most accurate information on current housing situation, contact your sponsor.

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Be advised that pets (other than aquatic animals and caged small birds) can delay, and in some cases, impede assignment to on-base quarters. The no pet policy is in effect for mid- and high-rise tower apartments. You cannot remain on Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) because of nonacceptance of quarters due to pet ownership.

• Tower - 2 Bed Rooms
• Tower - 3 Bed Rooms
• Multiplex - 3 Bed Rooms
• Multiplex - 4 Bed Rooms
• Types of MFH units on Okinawa
  

• Okinawa Military Family Housing
• Rates and Allowances Home Page
• Basic Allowance for Housing Page
• Overseas Housing Allowance Page