Edwards sees 22 to 35 percent increase in BAH

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric M. Grill
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Military members residing in the local community will see an increase of at least 22-percent in their housing allowance in today's paycheck.

The Air Force average for Basic Allowance for Housing was 3.5 percent, but housing costs in some areas on both the East and West coasts, along with Hawaii, have the highest BAH rates.

The Edwards' BAH increase comes after a special team visited the area in 2006 and examined the facts surrounding the two Antelope Valley military housing areas -- CA030 and CA457. Area CA030 represented Edwards and its surrounding communities in Kern County, while CA457 represented Palmdale, Calif. The team determined there should only be one housing area for the Antelope Valley and combined both areas.

Basic Allowance for Housing is meant to cover the costs of rent, utilities and renter's insurance, said Jeanette White, Edwards Housing coordinator.

Three years ago Edwards' leadership started pushing for additional BAH because many of the Edwards members reside in the Lancaster or Palmdale area since those cities are where the majority of suitable housing exists. In 2005 and 2006, Edwards was permitted to "data share" with CA457.

This meant that in addition to properties in the CA030 area, Edwards BAH was also based on rental properties in Lancaster, Ms. White said. As a result, Edwards saw increases in BAH, but Palmdale's BAH was still significantly higher.

"In the past, many members have had a difficult time affording decent places to live in the local community because of differences in BAH rates between CA457 and CA030," she said.

Merging the two housing areas means military members stationed at Edwards are now receiving the same rates as those stationed in Palmdale. The rate increases range between 22 and 35 percent and is based on the military member's rank and if they're married or single.

With the new rates, military members "should be able to afford to rent a property in the type of housing the military member's BAH is based on," Ms. White said.

"I am very excited about the increase in Team Edwards' BAH rates," said. Col. H. Brent Baker Sr., 95th Air Base Wing commander. "It's very unusual to have two military housing areas combined and we were told more than once that it wouldn't happen.

"Our people now have the resources available to find suitable housing in this very high cost market," Colonel Baker said.

Military members will see the 2007 BAH rates starting with the Jan. 15 pay date.

(Christopher Ball contributed to this story)