OHA survey participation may increase pay

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  In order to accurately measure how much service members spend on rent, utilities and maintenance on a monthly basis overseas, the Defense Travel Management Office developed an Overseas Housing Allowance survey for service members to share their expenses.

Information obtained by the OHA survey is used to formulate the amount of money allotted to service members in private housing, which helps offset housing costs.

"In Italy, it is tough to accurately describe how much is spent per month since we do not receive our bills on a monthly basis," said Staff Sgt. Samuel Spaethe, 31st CPTS financial services supervisor. "The results of receiving completed surveys is substantial. This survey directly affects how much money a member will receive in OHA for the next year. The more data we obtain, the better off we are."

OHA is comprised of three components: Rental allowances, move-in housing allowance and utility/reoccurring maintenance allowance. Rental allowances are reviewed and updated every six months based on information provided through the local finance system. MIHA is updated once every three years and utility and reoccurring maintenance allowances are updated annually based on information the surveys provide.

According to the CPTS, OHA is important here because the base doesn't offer on-base housing. OHA is used to offset the cost of living on the local economy and is adjusted by rank, location and the currency exchange rates.

"If we don't receive many survey results, there could be an impact on the amount OHA service members are allotted," said Spaethe. "The Italy survey can be found on the DTMO website as well as some additional information about the survey."

For more information about OHA and to take the survey, visit www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/ohaSurvey.cfm.