Washington, D.C. — E be like say 2026 go bring small joy for military families as dem go enjoy 4.2% increase for their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Na the Pentagon drop this juicy gist on December 11, 2025, as dem dey ready to make dis change start for January 1, 2026. No be small matter o!
Every year, about one million soldiers dey collect this allowance to help them manage their housing wahala. Dis year, Pentagon go fork out a whopping $29.9 billion for BAH payments. Dis money plus increase no too far from $29.2 billion wey dem shell out last year. Chai, na wetin we go call better progress, abi?
But wait, make we no carry our mind go carry water: That 4.2% increase na small pass di 5.4% wey soldiers enjoy for 2024 and 2025. At least, we no wan see anybody dey complain like say dem dey find fish for dry land (especially after dat 12.1% jump in 2023). If you dey stationed for places wey rent dey go up pass the average, na you go chop beta increase, while other areas like Phoenix, Arizona and Brownsville, Texas fit see dem BAH rate go down. But no wahala, those wey don dey stay for those areas go keep their old rates. E be like say dem dey also sabi how to cool for hot pepper!
Di new rates go depend on location, family size, and pay grade. So wetin go give you plenty allowance for Alaska fit no help you small for Hawaii. Na so di military dey calculate dis housing allowance based on some correct data from several sources, including Census Bureau surveys and rental cost databases. E no easy, but dem dey try to make sure say 95% of housing costs dey covered, while soldiers dey manage to pay the remaining 5%. Dis month, out-of-pocket expenses fit range from $93 to $212 depending on rank and family size.
Plus, the Pentagon don promise say dem go conduct study to improve di calculation for BAH, make sure say e dey follow rental increases wey dey happen. (Na good plan, wey go show say dem dey really care about soldiers housing wahala pass the previous years.) So, service members wey don plan stay for one area go fit sleep well without fear of their rates going down.
As the new housing allowance dey land, dem dey also discuss pay raise for all service members. Di House don approve 3.8% increase for basic pay, just in case your salary fit catch up with dis increase for housing allowance. Now na just Senate approval and President Biden signature dey remain make am act like good guy.
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