Navy family housing: an analysis of adequacy standards and their relationship to the Variable Housing Allowance

This thesis investigates the current Navy and DOD policies regarding the Navy Family Housing and Variable Housing Allowance (VHA) programs. The study involved; (1) a comparison of civilian and Navy standards of adequacy for family housing; (2) an examination of the VHA rate production process, and (3) an analysis of Navy standards of adequacy for family housing and the ability of VHA to provide service members the opportunity to obtain civilian housing which meets those standards of adequacy. This study concludes that the VHA program does not ensure that service members relying on the civilian community have the opportunity to obtain family housing that meets the Navy's standards of adequacy. Recommendations are made to change this condition, and, thereby, create equal housing opportunities for families living both on-and off-base.