JOINT FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS - DTMO

Ch 10: Housing Allowances
Part A: General Information
U10000-U10032
B. Rates. The Housing Allowance rates are divided into seven categories: BAH, OHA, FSH, BAH- Partial, BAH-
Diff, BAH-Transit, and BAH-RC.
1. BAH Rates
a. The PDTATAC determines adequate housing costs in a MHA for all Uniformed Services’ members
authorized BAH. The determination for housing allowances is based upon the costs of adequate rental
housing for civilians with comparable income levels in the same area.
b. An adjustment in the BAH rates as a result of PDTATAC housing costs redetermination-in an MHA
takes effect with the pay raise each year.
c. A MHA is defined geographically by Zip Code(s) within the U.S. Major military population areas are
further identified by a combination of a 2-digit code for the state and a 3-digit numerical designation within
the state. For small military population areas, Zip Codes are aggregated into areas of similar housing cost
and designated as County Cost Groups.
2. OHA Rates
a. The PDTATAC determines adequate housing costs in a locality for all Uniformed Services’ members
authorized OHA by location.
b. OHA rate ceilings are calculated based on data provided by OCONUS commanders and actual rent data
derived from pay systems.
c. The PDS geographic location governs the OHA rate payable unless otherwise specified. Geographic
locations are determined as outlined in APP K1, par. A.
3. FSH Rates
a. The FSH-B rate is the same as the without-dependent BAH rate for the same location.
b. FSH-O is computed under the same rules and conditions as without-dependent OHA for the same
location.
4. BAH Partial Rates. The BAH partial rate is the difference in basic pay between the 1980 and 1981
reallocated pay raises and what those basic pay rates would have been had the raise not been reallocated. The
rate is fixed from those years and does not change.
5. BAH Diff Rates. The BAH Diff rate is defined as the difference in Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ)
with dependents and BAQ without dependents for the member’s grade as of 31 December 1997, increased each
year by the average pay raise percentage.
6. BAH Transit Rates. The BAH Transit rate varies depending on old PDS location and the housing allowance
type received. Unless a location-specific rate is payable, the default Transit rate is the amount of BAQ on 31
December 1997 incremented by the average housing allowance increase each year.
7. BAH RC Rates. The BAH-RC rate for a period of active duty for a non-contingency of 30 or fewer days is
the BAQ amount on 31 December 1997 incremented by the average housing allowance increase each year.
C. GOV’T QTRS. A housing allowance (except partial BAH or BAH-Diff) is not authorized to a member who is
assigned to GOV’T QTRS appropriate to the member’s grade, rank, or rating and adequate for the member and
dependents, if with dependents (Part D for GOV’T QTRS).
Change 290 U10A-3
02/01/11