On-base housing mandatory at Misawa

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  A policy in effect Sep. 1 requires all active-duty accompanied members arriving at Misawa Air Base to move into available on-base family housing.

U.S. Forces Japan initiated the policy change by directing all U.S. installations to increase Military Family Housing occupancy rates. By
increasing utilization, Misawa Air Base will reflect better stewardship of the housing provided to U.S. Forces by the Government of Japan.

Although the new policy affects only incoming personnel, it will have no impact on families already stationed in Japan, nor will it affect unmarried
military members.

"Not only are the homes on base provided to us by the Government of Japan, the wages of our housing maintenance workers are paid for by them, and they reimburse us a portion of the utilities," said Lt. Col. Laura Johnson, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "By fully utilizing the housing on base, the American taxpayers will be saving money that would otherwise go into off base overseas housing allowance."

The policy is expected to save money across the Department of Defense, and to save taxpayers an estimated $30 to $50 million annually. Savings at Misawa Air Base are estimated to be approximately $1 million per month.

According to the policy, the family housing office will determine if on-base family housing is available within 30 days of arrival. If housing is not  available, the member will be permitted to stay in the local community. Members will also have 30 days of temporary lodging allowance to find acceptable housing.

"Misawa independently developed a policy to consider implementing an On Base Family Housing First Policy," said Michael Reese, 35th CES capital asset management element chief. "The policy is Misawa specific." 

The occupancy rate at Misawa is currently at 72 percent with 1,956 family housing residences. However, not all homes are available due to the units being removed for renovations under the Post Acquisition Improvement Program construction. 

The PAIP program includes four phases intended to modernize and provide more efficient housing, explained Colonel Johnson. Millions of dollars are being invested into improving base housing, which includes $52 million in upgrades to more than 280 on-base housing units, six of which are now handicap accessible. Renovations include carpet, floor tiles, paint, plumbing, fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom, a covered entryway and additional storage. 

"We are now working through the second and third phases of PAIP," said Colonel Johnson. "This should be complete within the next five years."