Military Housing vs. Affordable Housing

If you are in the rental industry marketing affordable housing options, you must have heard the report about how no state has an adequate supply of affordable rental housing for low-income renters. This news of the shortage came from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.

You may be looking for ways to manage your affordable housing units correctly. Perhaps you are looking into other options to maximize your property rental initiatives — particularly military housing and housing allowance.

As a property owner, you can offer housing options for service members and their families. Offering this housing option can help secure a steady rental income since the government offers a basic allowance for housing (BAH).

Here’s a closer look at how military housing differs from affordable housing options.

Military Members Get Non-taxable Housing Allowance

Military personnel enjoy housing allowances that serve as government payments for rent. The amount of financial aid they receive will depend on their rank. Whether or not the member has any dependents will also factor into how much they obtain.

They can access this allowance if they decide not to live in military barracks or dormitories. Many base houses are privatized, opening opportunities for you to claim, manage, and rent properties to military members.

As the property owner or manager, your military renters will pay rent to you. How much you can charge for rent will depend on the average amount in the local area. Likewise, the military housing allowance will reflect these figures.

The Government Pays Military Members Promptly

Military members that rely on the government’s housing benefits can rest assured that they will get a basic allowance to pay for their housing. Accordingly, you can expect very few problems when it comes to collecting rent.

However, there are reports among individuals under basic military training (BMT) that it sometimes takes too long to receive their BAH. Some people receive their first payment within three weeks of training. Others have to wait for five weeks before they get paid.

In isolated cases, individuals do not receive BAH throughout their entire time in BMT. Despite the long wait, they eventually get their due BAH in total as back pay. Thus, it assures you that you still have money coming in.

No Government Agency Subsidies

Relevant government agencies usually subsidize part of a tenant’s monthly rent when you operate affordable housing rental units. Some property managers and owners address this reality by implementing online payments. Accordingly, they streamline their tenant rent collection and match it with the government’s subsidy.

Since the government pays a portion or all of the military member’s rental expenses, you do not have to worry about government agencies collecting a portion of your tenant’s rent. Perhaps the closest situation where the government withholds part of the military tenant’s pay is when they are still in training and do not receive their BAH.

There Is a Core Market You Can Target

One advantage that military housing has over affordable housing in the property rental market is how you have a direct audience you can market to. As a property owner or manager of military housing, you already know that you should advertise your available property to military members looking for new housing.

Meanwhile, you would have a wider scope of potential tenants searching for affordable housing if that is the property rental option you are offering. Although you have more options, you may have a harder time securing a tenant because of the overwhelming number of potential renters. Thus, narrowing it down to military members looking for housing simplifies your efforts.

Targeting military members for your rental property may involve adjusting your traditional marketing and advertising strategies. For example, if you have a social media page for your property, you would incorporate more military terms that would help display your page on service members’ timelines.

You Must Consider Unique Military Regulations Regarding the Rent

Becoming familiar with federal, state, and local requirements is one of the best practices for managing affordable housing properties. For example, the Fair Housing Act protects potential tenants against discrimination based on racial identity, skin color, religious background, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, familial status, and physical disabilities.

The way that multiple rules and regulations overlap explains why some owners and managers invest in software to simplify their affordable housing management initiatives. When you add military regulations into the mix, you will have to adjust your management strategy to account for these unique rules.

For instance, the Military Housing Privatization Initiative Tenant Bill of Rights states that tenants have the right to receive advice from military legal assistance in resolving disputes they may have with you as the property manager or owner. As such, you may want to consider being extra mindful in managing your rental property.

Military Housing Has Unique Affairs

Following the specific regulations involving military rentals, you can expect some unique issues and problems surrounding the military housing world that you need to follow and stay informed about. The privatization of military houses is perhaps the most recognizable topic that you will encounter as a rental property owner or manager in this trade.

Just like how there are trends in affordable housing that you must not overlook, it would be in your best interest to keep track of the developments in the military housing world in case you need to make necessary adjustments.

This responsibility will overlap with your existing duties as a landlord like staying on top of the real estate and rental business. Consider investing in military housing software to simplify any modifications you expect.

Conclusion: What Is the Difference Between Military Housing and Affordable Housing?

There are a handful of differences between military housing and affordable housing. Government involvement is the primary difference. With affordable housing units, you would expect the government to take subsidies from the tenant, which would reflect in your profits. On the contrary, you will not have to worry about those deductions with military housing because the government pays for military members’ rent.

Another difference is the scope of potential tenants that each type of housing grants you as a rental property owner. With affordable housing, your target audience is based on tenants looking for houses while on a budget. Meanwhile, military members are your main target. With a streamlined audience, you have better chances of securing a tenant instead of hoping to get one who meets your set prices.

Finally, having a unique audience requires that you immerse yourself in the rules, regulations, and updates involving military rent. Your property management efforts will need to reflect the exclusive issues military members face in terms of housing.

Track Your Military Housing Responsibilities With ExactEstate

ExactEstate offers a comprehensive property management software solution that you can customize according to your duties involving military housing and housing allowance. With our suite of tools and resources, we are proud to be your complete property rental management solution.

At ExactEstate, we understand the work that goes into keeping your housing duties organized and accurate. We are eager to help you find the right military housing software solution that suits your goals. Count on us to adjust our services according to your needs. Schedule a demo today.