DoD releases 2010 BAH rates Published Feb. 3, 2010 By compiled staff reports 354th Comptroller Squadron EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The Department of Defense released the 2010 Basic Allowance for Housing rates in Dec. While most military members received an average housing allowance increase of 2.5 percent when the new rates take effect, Jan. 1, most Airmen who come to Alaska in 2010 will not be so lucky. Airmen who are already assigned to the state may see an increase, but will not have their rates cut. According to a Department of Defense news release, an integral part of the Basic Allowance for Housing program is the provision of individual rate protection to all members. No matter what happens to measured housing costs, individuals in a given location will not see their BAH rates decrease if they are already drawing the allowance. This assures members who have made long-term commitments in the form of a lease or contract are not penalized if the area's housing costs decrease. Service members in ranks which are granted an increase will see the extra money beginning with next month's paychecks. Airmen who are initially stationed in Alaska in 2010 will draw the new allowance rate. For 2010, initial research shows the hardest hits ranks include Alaska's mid-grade NCOs and junior officers, with some technical sergeants and first lieutenants taking more than nine percent cuts in their monthly housing allowances. New Eielson Airmen will generally see larger cuts in the 2010 rates than their counterparts south of the Alaska Range. Air Force wide, for members with dependents, average increases in the BAH are approximately $37 per month. A typical junior enlisted member with dependents, for example, will find his/her BAH about $25 per month higher than last year, while a senior non-commissioned officer with dependents will receive about $42 more than last year. New Eielson Airmen will take a small cut in their BAH for calendar year 2010. An airman 1st class without dependents collected $1,150 per month in 2009 BAH, while his counterpart with dependents drew $1,533. With 2010 rates of $1,125 and $1,500 respectively, incoming Airmen will receive $25 or $33 less per month, with the Airmen with dependents taking the deeper cut. At Eielson, technical sergeant rate cuts are far more drastic. The 2009 BAH rate saw the NCOs drawing $2,006 with dependents and $1,505 without. In 2010 the with dependents rate drops to $1,821 - a cut of 9.22 percent, or $185 per month. The rate for a technical sergeant with no dependents faces a $140 per month cut to $1,365. A first lieutenant with dependents will see cuts similar to the technical sergeant. The 2010 rate of $1,821 per month is a 9.13 percent ,$183, cut from 2009's $2,004 per month. Three components are included in the BAH computation: median current market rent, average utilities, including electricity, heat, and water or sewer, and average renter's insurance. Total housing costs are calculated for six housing profiles based on dwelling type and number of bedrooms in each military housing area. BAH rates are then calculated for each pay grade, both with and without dependents. An estimated $19 billion will be paid to nearly 1 million service members in 2010. Other notable rates for Airmen with dependents at Eielson include: Master sergeant -2009: $2,088 -2010: $1,998 First lieutenant -2009: $2,004 -2010: $1,821 Captain -2010: $2,113 -2010: $2,052 Lieutenant colonel -2009: $2,352 -2010: $2,313 (Editor's note: Information in this article was provided by John Pennell, Fort Richardson Public Affairs Officer)