B-231712: Nov 22, 1988

The purpose of a VHA is to defray housing costs in those parts of the United States where housing costs are especially high. Since the allowance is intended to be attuned to members' actual housing costs. Freeman - Variable Housing Allowance - Allowable Expenses for Offset: We are asked whether a service member who paid cash for his house may prorate the amount he paid on a monthly basis in order...

B-231712: Nov 22, 1988

The Air Force requested a decision concerning whether an officer who paid cash for his residence could prorate the amount he paid on a monthly basis in order to receive a full variable housing allowance (VHA). GAO held that, since the purpose of VHA was to defray housing costs in high-cost housing areas and the officer had no actual out-of-pocket housing expenses, he did not qualify for the full a...