Temporary Housing for Military Relocation: A Guide for Families
A complete guide to temporary housing for military families during PCS moves — how TLE and OHA work, furnished homes vs. base housing vs. hotels, and how to keep your family stable during a relocation.
Invested Escapes
Temporary Housing Experts
Military families know the drill: you receive PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders, and within 30-90 days, your entire life is packed up and moved to a new duty station. It's a logistical challenge that affects every family member — changing schools, finding a new home, establishing new routines, and often doing it all while the service member is already at the new base or deployed. Temporary housing during a PCS move is the bridge that keeps your family stable during this transition. Instead of living in a hotel for weeks while you wait for base housing or hunt for a permanent home off-base, a furnished home gives your family a real living environment — full kitchen, private bedrooms, in-unit laundry, a backyard for kids and pets, and a neighborhood to call home while you get settled. This guide covers everything military families need to know about temporary housing during a PCS.
Understanding Military Housing Allowances
The military provides several housing allowances that can be used for temporary housing during a PCS move:
| Allowance | What It Covers | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 📋 TLE (Temporary Lodging Expense) | Up to 10 days CONUS / 60 days OCONUS of temporary lodging during PCS | Reimburses up to $290/night (varies by location) |
| 💰 BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) | Monthly housing allowance based on location, rank, and dependents | Varies by zip code & rank — $1,500-$4,500+/mo |
| 🌍 OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) | Housing allowance for OCONUS assignments | Varies by location — includes rent + utilities |
| 📦 DLA (Dislocation Allowance) | One-time payment to offset moving costs | $1,000-$3,000+ depending on rank & dependents |
Key takeaway: Your TLE allowance can cover temporary lodging (including furnished homes) for up to 10 days CONUS or 60 days OCONUS during a PCS. If you need housing beyond TLE limits, your BAH typically covers monthly rent. Check with your finance office for current rates and specific eligibility for your situation.
The PCS Housing Challenge
PCS moves come with several housing challenges that civilian relocations don't face:
- ⏱ Short timelines: 30-90 days from orders to report date. You have to arrange housing, pack, move, and settle — all while the service member may already be at the new base.
- 🏠 Base housing waitlists: On-base housing often has waitlists of weeks to months. You need temporary housing while you wait for your name to come up.
- 🏘 Unfamiliar area: You're moving to a new city or state you may have never visited. You need time to explore neighborhoods, schools, and commute routes before choosing a permanent home.
- 🎒 School transitions: Kids need to start school at the new duty station immediately. A furnished home in the right school district gives them stability from day one.
- 🐕 Pet logistics: Military families often have pets. Hotels and base lodging frequently don't accept pets — making a pet-friendly furnished home essential.
- 📦 Household goods in transit: Your furniture and belongings are on a moving truck for weeks. A furnished home means you're not sleeping on an air mattress while you wait for your shipment.
Furnished Home vs. Base Lodging vs. Hotel
| Feature | 🏠 Furnished Home | 🏨 Base Lodging/Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 📐 Space | 1,200-2,500+ sq ft — full house | 300-500 sq ft — single room |
| 🍳 🍳 Kitchen | Full kitchen — cook family meals | Kitchenette or none — eat out daily |
| 🧺 🧺 Laundry | In-unit W/D — free, unlimited | Shared or paid laundry |
| 🐕 🐕 Pets | Pet-friendly — large dogs welcome | Most base lodging doesn't accept pets |
| 🎒 Schools | Placed in school district — kids start immediately | Not school-zoned — may need transfers |
| 🛋 🛋 Furnishing | Full — furniture, kitchenware, linens | Basic — bed, desk, minimal amenities |
| 🌳 🌳 Backyard | Yes — space for kids & pets | No outdoor space |
| 🏠 💻 Workspace | Dedicated desk & WiFi for spouse/remote work | Limited workspace |
| ⏱ TLE Coverage | Yes — TLE can cover furnished lodging | Yes — TLE covers base lodging & hotels |
Benefits of a Furnished Home for Military Families
- ⏱ No rush on permanent home: Take time to explore off-base neighborhoods, visit schools, and find the right long-term home — without pressure.
- 🎒 School stability: A furnished home in your school district means kids can start school immediately at their new school. No mid-year transfers or temporary enrollment.
- 🐕 Pets stay with family: Military families often have pets that are part of the family. A pet-friendly furnished home with a fenced yard means no separation during the PCS.
- ⚡ Zero setup burden: Your household goods are on a moving truck. A furnished home with furniture, kitchenware, linens, and utilities means you're comfortable from day one — not sleeping on an air mattress.
- 💻 Workspace for remote spouse: If your spouse works remotely, a furnished home with a dedicated desk and high-speed WiFi lets them continue working during the PCS transition.
- 🔄 Flexible timeline: Base housing waitlists can be unpredictable. A month-to-month furnished home gives you flexibility — extend if the wait is longer than expected.
- 🍳 Normal family routine: Cook meals in a full kitchen, do laundry in-unit, watch TV in a living room, let kids play in the backyard. Normalcy during a major transition is invaluable.
What's Included in a Military Furnished Home
- 🛋 Furniture: Full furniture in every room — bedroom, living room, dining area, workspace.
- 🍳 Kitchen: Full kitchen with stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, cookware, dishes, utensils.
- 🛏 Linens: Bedding, towels, pillows, blankets.
- ⚡ Utilities: Electricity, water, gas, high-speed internet, trash — all included.
- 📺 Smart TVs: In living area and bedrooms — log into your own streaming profiles.
- 💻 Workspace: Dedicated desk and ergonomic chair for the service member or spouse.
- 🧺 Laundry: In-unit washer and dryer — free, unlimited.
- 🔥 Grill: Gas or charcoal grill for outdoor cooking.
- 🚗 Garage: Garage or dedicated parking space.
- 🔒 Fencing: Fenced yard for privacy and pet safety.
- 🌳 Backyard: Outdoor space for kids and pets.
How to Arrange Military Relocation Housing
Arranging temporary housing for a PCS move is straightforward:
Step 1: Receive Your PCS Orders 📋
Once you receive orders, note your new duty station, report date, and housing allowance details (TLE, BAH, OHA). Contact your base housing office to check on-base housing availability and waitlist status.
Step 2: Contact a Housing Provider 🏠
Contact Invested Escapes with your new duty station, report date, estimated length of stay (until base housing is available or you find a permanent home), family size, pet needs, and school district preferences. We'll search for furnished homes near your new base.
Step 3: Move In 🧳
We match you with a furnished home and coordinate the lease and utilities. Arrive with your personal belongings — everything else is ready. Use your TLE allowance to cover the temporary lodging cost.
Step 4: Find Permanent Housing 🏡
While living comfortably in your furnished home, explore neighborhoods, visit schools, check commute times, and either wait for base housing or find a permanent off-base home. When you're ready to move, simply give notice and transition to your permanent housing.
Sometimes multiple temporary housing providers may be involved in your placement. Some providers function as relocation companies, and two may work together to find the best option for your family's needs. This is standard — Invested Escapes has our own managed inventory AND can coordinate with other relocation companies to find you the right home near your new duty station.
Tips for Military Families
- 📋 Check TLE rates: Verify current TLE rates for your destination with your finance office before booking housing.
- 🏠 Check base housing first: Contact the housing office at your new duty station as soon as you get orders — waitlists can be long.
- 🎒 Research schools: Research school districts near your new base before requesting housing placement.
- 🐕 Disclose pets: Tell your housing provider about pets upfront — type, breed, size — to ensure pet-friendly placement.
- 📦 Coordinate with your move: Time your housing start date with your household goods delivery — but remember, your furnished home has everything you need while you wait for the moving truck.
- 🔄 Plan for extensions: Base housing waitlists and home purchases can take longer than expected. Choose a housing provider with month-to-month flexibility.
If you've received PCS orders and need temporary housing near your new duty station, contact Invested Escapes with your base location, report date, and family needs. We'll place you in a furnished home near base — with a full kitchen, private bedrooms, in-unit laundry, backyard, pet-friendly options, and a workspace for your spouse. Use your TLE allowance to cover the cost.
Learn more about relocation housing in our complete guide.
Relocation Housing Guide →For related reading, see our corporate housing by owner guide and our complete temporary housing guide.
Military PCS Housing Request
Tell us about your PCS — new duty station, report date, family size, pet needs, and school district preferences. We'll match you with a furnished home near your new base, often within 24-72 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my TLE allowance for a furnished home during a PCS?
Yes. The Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) allowance can be used for temporary lodging — including furnished homes — during a PCS move. TLE covers up to 10 days CONUS or 60 days OCONUS, reimbursing up to approximately $290/night depending on your destination. Check with your finance office for current rates and specific eligibility for your situation.
How long can military families stay in temporary housing during a PCS?
TLE covers up to 10 days for CONUS moves and up to 60 days for OCONUS moves. If you need housing beyond TLE limits, your BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) can typically cover monthly rent for a furnished home while you wait for base housing or find a permanent off-base home. Many military families use a furnished home for 30-90 days during their transition.
Can I bring my pet to temporary housing during a military move?
Yes, many furnished temporary housing properties are pet-friendly — including large dogs. This is a major advantage over base lodging and hotels, which often don't accept pets. When requesting housing, specify your pet's type, breed, and size to ensure pet-friendly placement. Many Invested Escapes properties feature fenced yards, which is ideal for military families with dogs.
What if base housing has a waitlist at my new duty station?
Base housing waitlists can range from a few weeks to several months. A furnished temporary home with month-to-month flexibility lets you live comfortably while you wait. When your name comes up on the waitlist, simply give notice and transition to base housing. If the wait is shorter than expected, you can move out early with proper notice.
How is a furnished home better than a hotel for a military PCS?
A furnished home gives your family 3-5x more space than a hotel room, a full kitchen (instead of eating out for weeks), in-unit laundry, private bedrooms, a backyard for kids and pets, and a residential neighborhood. It's also often less expensive than a hotel on a monthly basis. Most importantly, it provides stability and normalcy during a major transition — which is critical for military children and spouses.
Can my spouse work remotely from our temporary housing?
Yes. All Invested Escapes properties include a dedicated workspace (desk and ergonomic chair) and high-speed internet — essential for remote work. If your spouse works remotely, they can continue their job seamlessly during the PCS transition. Many properties can also provide a monitor upon request for a second screen.
Need Corporate Housing?
Whether you're a property owner looking to earn income or a tenant needing a furnished home, Invested Escapes can help.