By David Overson, U.S. Army Europe and Africa and USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs
Click to be taken directly to the OHA SurveyThe Department of Defense’s annual Overseas Housing Allowance Survey is open now through March 31, 2025. All service members receiving OHA, except those sharing rent, are highly encouraged to participate.
The survey is designed to collect utility and recurring maintenance expense data incurred by uniformed service members stationed overseas who reside in private housing. The results directly impact the amount of housing allowance each service member receives. Its completion ensures OHA rates for the Utility and Recurring Maintenance Allowance and Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA) are properly set for service members stationed overseas.
If a service member has participated in previous OHA surveys, the questions will be similar. Participants will be asked to report the average monthly cost of utilities and any routine maintenance expenses incurred within the last 12 months.
Who should take the survey?
Civilians should not take the survey. Servicemembers or their spouses should take the survey if:
- You have been stationed in Germany for at least three months.
- You reside in privately leased quarters (not a homeowner or sharer). A sharer is a servicemember sharing rent with another servicemember or with a civilian in receipt of Living Quarters Allowance (LQA).
- You receive an Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).
When can I take the survey?
The survey is open between Jan. 1, 2025 through March 31, 2025.
How do I take the survey?
According to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Military Compensation Policy Directorate, service members receiving OHA for off-post rental housing, except those sharing rent, should take the survey at: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Community/se/2511374578A7F41D. Spouses are encouraged to complete the survey if the service member is unavailable.
Is the survey mandatory?
Participation in this survey is voluntary and failure to respond will not result in penalty to the respondent. However, please note that you play a critical role. The data provided directly impacts allowances paid to servicemembers. Your time and effort spent answering the survey questions helps set equitable OHA rates.
How long does the survey take?
The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and should be completed by you the servicemember or your spouse, whoever has knowledge of your housing expenses. A Common Access Card (CAC) is not required to access the survey.
What do I need to take the survey?
For the utility expenses portion, gather your bills, receipts, and records of utility and recurring maintenance expenses incurred within the last 12 months and compute a MONTHLY AVERAGE for each of these expenses.
For the move-in portion, gather your receipts for all expenses incurred when initially moving into your residence.
You may save the survey, obtain additional information, and resume the survey at any time during the survey timeframe. Please note that incomplete surveys cannot be used. Allowance adjustments based on incomplete data could disadvantage service members.
Responses are held in the strictest confidence and are not shared with any other office or agency.
Is there anyone who can help me take the survey?
Yes, contact the USAG Stuttgart Housing Office during normal operating hours at CIV 09641-70-596-2230, DSN 596-2230. You can also visit the USAG Stuttgart Housing Office webpage at https://home.army.mil/stuttgart/housing.
Anything else I should know?
Report all your expenses in the currency in which you paid them. Do not convert costs.
Also, in the comments section, enter any explanations that might help better explain your expenses. You may add any additional expenses that were not included in the survey.
You have a say in your pay!