Basic Allowance Housing( BAH)
Every Marine is permitted to receive free on-base living. Those who are allowed to live off base, will be compensated with a monthly housing allowance. The VA offers loan assistance for buying and purchasing a home both active and after service. The intent of BAH is to provide uniformed service members with a place to live if they choose to reside off base.
The BAH rates are based on local rental costs for various types of housing in hundreds of different locations.
The Department of Defense 2010 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates reflect an average housing allowance increase of 2.5 percent starting Jan. 1, 2010.