HOUSING
TEMPORARY LODGING
Whether visiting Naval Weapons Station Charleston for a short stay, or arranging a permanent change of station move, most newcomers need a temporary place to stay.
Naval Weapons Station Charleston has a limited Visitor Quarters operation consisting of one Visitor’s Quarters Suite for personnel in pay grades E-1 and above; and one Distinguished Visitor’s Quarters Suite for personnel in pay grades E-9, O-5 and above, and civilian equivalent personnel, on official government travel orders. Pay grades W1-04, E9, and retired personnel are housed on a space available basis. Service members should contact the Housing Welcome Center to make reservations. Prices begin at $41 per night for military members. If these quarters are not available, the Housing Welcome Center can issue a certificate of nonavailability, if needed.
Single enlisted students beginning classes at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command need not worry about temporary housing. They will be met at the Charleston International Airport and be taken directly to the Training Center where they will be assigned a room. All others have three additional options: on-base vacation rentals, temporary lodging at Charleston AFB, or staying in a local hotel or motel.
Foster Creek Villas, operated by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation department, offer spacious two, three and four bedroom on-base vacation rental units. Each unit features a furnished living room with phone and television, dining room, fully equipped kitchen, and a front and back yard with covered parking. Prices begin at $45 per night for military members and families, and $50 per night for other eligible categories. Call (843) 764-2120 for reservations.
Charleston AFB, located 12 miles from the Weapons Station, has approximately 200 transient spaces at the Inns of Charleston,
for eligible active duty and reserve military personnel, retirees, and civilian employees with TDY/TAD orders. Rooms for Navy personnel on PCS/TDY orders to Charleston are considered priority one and may be reserved as soon as the requirement
is known. Official orders and a valid credit card must be provided to make a reservation. Navy personnel in space available status can make reservations from 24 hours to seven days in advance, based on priority one guest requirements. The lodging office
does maintain a list of approximately 20 local hotels in the
area that offer reduced contract lodging rates. Call
(843) 963-3806 or access the website www.437services.com
for additional information.
Local hotels and motels are plentiful in North Charleston and Goose Creek and are often the preferred temporary quarters
for many military families moving to Naval Weapons Station Charleston. Many offer military discounts with rates averaging
$35 to $65 per night. Some now offer weekly rates and come equipped with in-suite kitchens including microwave
and refrigerator.
Military members moving to the Naval Weapons Station on PCS orders will be reimbursed temporary lodging expenses for a maximum of 10 days while hunting for permanent quarters. The Fleet and Family Support Center can also provide kitchen ware, fold out mattresses, and portable car seats and strollers for newcomers until their household goods are delivered.
It is recommended that advance reservations be made to ensure you have a place to stay while seeking permanent housing.
PERMANENT HOUSING
Bachelor Housing
1 Mahan Circle
Phone: (843) 764-7646; DSN 794-7646
The Navy may still call them “barracks,” but dormitories and apartments are much more appropriate terms for the award-winning bachelor housing units available on Naval Weapons Station Charleston.
All single students attending the year-long Naval Nuclear Power Training Command classes live in dormitories on the school complex. While completing the first phase of their training, enlisted students are assigned to a 2+2 style suite (two students sharing a bedroom, with four students sharing a common bathroom). Upon graduation from the first phase of training, they are relocated to a 1+1 suite (a private bedroom, with two people sharing a bathroom). Completed in 1998, the training complex includes six modern dormitories, gymnasium, liberty center, and five-star military galley. Dormitory assignments are made by the school when students report to the command.
Permanent party bachelors can live on base in garden apartment style housing units that were completely renovated and modernized in 2004. Enlisted members, E-3 and below, must live on base, but enlisted members E-4 and above and officers may live either in the community or on-base, space permitting.
Military bachelors wanting to stay on base should contact the Bachelor Housing Office as soon as PCS orders are received in order to secure a position on the waiting list or arrange for quarter assignment before you arrive on station. If advance notice is provided, and bachelor quarters are available, your keys will be waiting for you upon arrival. The Bachelor Housing Office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Bachelor housing for E-6 and below consist of two-person garden apartments. Each fully furnished unit includes two private bedrooms, and a shared living room, dining room, bathroom, kitchen, balcony, and car port. Units include fully equipped kitchens, washers and dryers, televisions, and DVDs. The bachelor housing complex also includes a lounge with
refreshment area, a basketball and volleyball court and picnic area with gazebo.
There are also 12 fully furnished double occupancy officer and senior enlisted homes on base. Each is a renovated 3-4 bedroom 1,500 square foot townhouse unit which comes with fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer.
The Bachelor Housing Office has repeatedly been awarded the Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Award and Five Star Accreditation and in 2007 and 2008, were one of eight commands world-wide to earn the CEL & Associates Crystal Award based on the quality of facilities and exceptional customer service.
Housing Welcome Center
Building 742, Fletcher Street
Phone: (800) 362-2399 DSN: 794-7264
(843) 764-7264 Fax: (843) 764-7285
One of the biggest decisions for newcomers moving to a new base is finding affordable housing, in a great community, with wonderful amenities, and good schools for the children. The mission of the Naval Weapons Station Housing Welcome Center
is to help you find that “home of your dreams.” This service is available for both military bachelors and families.
One of your first calls, after receiving PCS orders, should be to the Housing Welcome Center! It can help provide you with
“one-stop” home shopping, by providing extensive information on base PPV housing, off-base apartment rentals, and community home purchases. It can compare your housing allowance with average local rental costs, home purchase prices and utility expenses. It can even help save money if you decide to rent off base. The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from
8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Public Private Venture Housing
In order to provide military families outstanding quality homes on-base within the cost of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), the Navy signed a Public Private Venture Housing agreement with a private developer—Balfour Beatty Communities. Under terms of the agreement, the government turned over 1,885 older homes to Balfour Beatty Communities on October 1, 2007, with the understanding that they divest 368 homes; demolish 1,302 older homes; build 433 new state-of-the art single and duplex homes; and renovate another 215 homes.
All new and renovated homes are to be completed within six years. In addition, Balfour Beatty Communities will build a
5,000 square foot community center, swimming pool, basketball and volleyball courts, and soccer field, as well as tot lots
and playgrounds.
Balfour Beatty Communities is responsible for managing all of the homes, maintaining the landscape, and providing maintenance 24 hours a day. In return, Balfour Beatty Communities receives the equivalent of Basic Allowance for Housing rent. Balfour Beatty Communities’ administrative offices are collocated with the Housing Welcome Center which still processes military applications for on-base housing. Balfour Beatty Communities offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and on weekends by appointment.
This is part of a 50-year Navy agreement with Balfour Beatty Communities, impacting 5,269 homes at 11 bases in five Navy Region Southeast states.
Floor plans and artists drawing of new and renovated homes at Naval Weapons Station Charleston can be viewed at www.nwscharlestonhomes.com.
Until late 2007, the only waiting list for on-base housing was for five-bedroom units. However, that situation is expected to change with the construction of new and renovated homes. Families interested in living on base are encouraged to apply early since there may be a waiting list, depending on the number of bedrooms required. Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will cover all costs for rent, utilities and a Personal Property Insurance policy for personal belongings up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible. There is no rental deposit fee for those making automatic payments through an allotment; however, if the service member chooses the “Direct Payment” option, rental payments will be made at the Community Management Office and a Security Deposit equal to one month of rent is required. Up to two pets are permitted in Public Private Venture (PPV) housing.
Military families can apply for PPV housing as soon as PCS orders to Naval Weapons Station Charleston are received by submitting an advanced application package. Application packages for military families should include the following:
• DD 1746 (“Application for Housing”)
• LES - last 30-days leave and earning statement.
• PCS Orders
• Page 2 (updated record of emergency data),
• Contact phone numbers
• Other pertinent information such as Power of Attorney or
Exceptional Family Member Status, if applicable.
The application package can be submitted by fax, e-mail or mail. The mailing address is: Housing Welcome Center, Naval Weapons Station Charleston, 2316 Redbank Road, Ste 100, Goose Creek SC 29445-8601
But what can you do if a government house is not available when you arrive at the Naval Weapons Station? The Housing Welcome Center can help you find temporary housing, and you will still be eligible for “Courtesy Move Entitlements” − a second move at no cost to you. In essence, the Navy will provide you a courtesy move into PPV housing under the following circumstances:
• You must apply for housing and check in with the Housing
Welcome Center within 30 days of reporting aboard. If housing
is not available at that time and you have to find housing in the
local community, you will be eligible for a courtesy move into
housing when it becomes available after the date you state you
are available for housing (based on lease, etc.)
• If you are not eligible for housing when transferring to Naval
Weapons Station, but become eligible due to a change in status,
you must apply for housing within 30 days of eligibility. If
housing is not available at the time of application and you have
to find housing in the local community, you will be eligible for
a courtesy move into housing when it becomes available
after the date you state you are available for housing (based
on lease, etc.)
Based on current policy, you will forfeit your entitlement to a courtesy move under the following circumstances:
• You fail to apply and/or check in with the Housing Welcome
Center within 30 days of reporting to your command.
• You fail to apply for housing within 30 days of becoming eligible
for housing.
• You are contacted for referral to Balfour Beatty Communities for
a PPV home and turn down the home.
• You are contacted for referral to Balfour Beatty Communities
and indicate you are going to sign another lease with your
landlord but are still interested in remaining on the waiting list
for consideration in the future.
When applying for housing bring a copy of your orders, a current Page 2 (Emergency Data Sheet), and your L20 (detaching paperwork) to the Navy Housing Welcome Center. At that time, you will fill out a DD1746 “Application for Housing” if you did not send an advance application via fax or e-mail. A referral counselor will meet with you and, depending on where you fall on the wait list, will either refer you to Balfour Beatty Communities or out into the community.
It’s very important to note that once you are referred to
Balfour Beatty Communities, you have only 24 hours to accept or decline the offer. If you decline this first offer, you forfeit your courtesy move and any future move into PPV housing will be at your own expense.
If you decline your first offer, your name is removed from the waiting list. You may go back on the waiting list the next day with that date as your new control date. You are entitled to a second offer. Again, you will have only 24 hours to accept or decline. However, if you decline this second offer, your housing application is cancelled and your name is removed from the PPV Referral Wait List. You must wait 30 days from the date of this second decline before re-applying for PPV housing. Your control date will be established as of the date of your re-application.
As always, your Housing Welcome Center is here to assist you and provide the best possible customer service based on your individual housing needs. Feel free to call the Housing Welcome Center if you have any questions. The phone number is (843) 764-7264, or call toll free at (800) 362-2399. The receptionist will direct you to an available counselor.
Housing Referral Service
The Housing Referral Services office is located in the Housing Welcome Center to help bachelors, military families, and DoD employees find civilian rentals and homes in the local community.
A housing referral counselor will provide you with the following:
• Comprehensive lists and availability of apartments, houses,
mobile homes, or mobile home lots for rent or sale;
• Guidance in obtaining the most suitable residence for the
most affordable price;
• Information on leases (military clause), the South Carolina
Landlord/Tenant Act, deposits, complaint process;
• Advice on locations to meet your family requirements.
Military personnel with six months or more remaining on active duty in the Charleston area are also eligible to sign up for the Rental Partnership Program that can save you money. This program enables military personnel to stay at participating community apartment complexes or townhouses with no security deposit, no application fee, and no credit check. To sign up, you will need to provide current orders; Page 2 (Record of Emergency Data Form); last 30-days leave and earning statement; verification of PRD and EAOS (minimum of six months or one year remaining); and, if single, E-4 and below, the member must have written approval from their command to live off base.
For comparison purposes, the following chart shows average rental and ownership cost in the local area,
effective in 2008
| Deposit | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | Utilities | |
| Apartment | 200-300 | 775 | 975 | N/A | 70-120 |
| Condo | 200-350 | 725 | 815 | N/A | 70-120 |
| Townhouse | 200-300 | 750 | 874 | N/A | 75-150 |
| House | 550-800 | 750 | 1100 | 1500 | 125-200 |
Avg Rental Price for 2 BR in Selected Communities
| 2 BR Apt | |
| Mt Pleasant............................................ | 960 |
| Downtown Charleston............................. | 730 |
| West Ashley........................................... | 935 |
| Berkeley Co (incl Goose Creek)............... | 709 |
| North Charleston.................................... | 686 |
| Summerville.......................................... | 736 |
Avg Housing Price in Tri-County Area
| 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | Utilities | |
| Condo | 187,953 | 239,900 | 336,900 | 50-120 |
| Townhouse | 136,500 | 188,900 | 188,900 | 75-150 |
| House | 165,000 | 194,900 | 294,000 | 125-200 |
Avg Housing Price in Selected Communities
| Single Family House | |
| Mt Pleasant........................................... | 425,000 |
| Downtown Charleston............................ | 855,000 |
| West Ashley......................................... | 243,415 |
| North Charleston................................... | 155,000 |
| Berkley Co (including Goose Creek)....... | 178,000 |
| Summerville......................................... | 202,450 |
Personal Property
(Household Goods)
Building 302, 1661 Redbank Road
When moving, military families want to ensure their household goods are transported in a safe, timely manner to their new duty location. This is the responsibility of the Personal Property Office that services your area.
Once you receive orders, you are encouraged to contact the Personal Property Office at your current duty station to arrange for shipment of household goods that are being shipped to our areas of responsibility.
Once you arrive at the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, it is important to provide the office a phone number where you can be contacted. The Personal Property Office has two hours to locate a member for a direct delivery to residence. Otherwise, your household goods will be placed into storage.
The Personal Property Office is committed to provide quality customer service when arranging your move. We handle all moves for Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force
and DoD Civilians and their dependents throughout six counties surrounding Charleston. We provide services in the following areas:
· Setting up a government move
· Self-Procured Move (PPM); formerly Do-It-Yourself Move (DITY)
· Short or long term storage
· Arranging delivery of your inbound shipment
· Filing a claim
· Providing briefs for students graduating from
NNPTC and NPTU schools
· Group counseling
· General assistance in planning your move
When you receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS), retirement or separation orders, you can schedule your household goods move over the Internet on the “SMART Web Move” site at: www.smartwebmove.navsup.navy.mil. This allows you to request a move 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This system provides you an application module, online counseling, and online entitlement information. When using the Internet, you will need to have available your official orders, dependent documents, and a power of attorney, if required.
Group counseling is provided only for members/civilians who are not qualified for a SMART Web Move. You must schedule an appointment prior to a briefing. Briefings are conducted on Tuesdays at 1 p.m.
The documents that are required to process your move include:
*3 copies of your PCS orders for each type of shipment you are
doing (if you are arranging a government move and a partial
PPM, then it is considered two moves and we need 6 copies);
*Proof of dependents (located on your NAVPERS 1070 form); and
*Power of Attorney or Notarized Letter of Authorization (if
someone other than the service member is arranging the move)
A Self-Procured Move could also be an alternative method for all or part of your move. Formerly called a DITY (Do It Yourself) move, this method enables you to move at your own convenience, maintain control of your household goods throughout the move, and possibly receive a cash incentive. Under the Self-Procured program, you are responsible for packing, loading, driving, and unpacking of your belongings.
The Personal Property Office is located on Naval Weapons Station Charleston. Its address is 1661 Redbank Road, Building 302,
Suite 128, Goose Creek, S.C. Hours of operation are 7 a.m.
until 3:30 p.m.
*For inbound information, call between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Phone: Comm (843) 764-7575 or DSN 794-7575.
*For outbound information call between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Phone: Comm (843) 764-7590/7599 or DSN 794-7590/7599.
*For claims information call between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Phone: Comm (843) 767577 or DSN 794-7577.
The Naval Weapons Station Charleston Newcomers' Guide is published by Benchmark Publications Incorporated, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy, under exclusive written contract with Naval Weapons Station Charleston. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Navy or Benchmark Publications, Incorporated of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Naval Weapons Station Charleston Newcomers' Guide is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-81. Editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston. All photos are provided by the Public Affairs Office unless stated otherwise.
