The Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN) is a free, valuable resource designed specifically to assist military families with the often-challenging process of finding suitable housing during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Established with the needs of military members in mind, AHRN connects service members, families, Veterans, and others with available housing options, whether on or off base, across the United States and overseas.
AHRN was developed for the Department of Defense (DoD) to simplify the housing search for military families. In 2023, we changed ownership and leadership and recently released a more user-friendly platform to support your needs better.
Changes To Serve You Better
Our platform functions as more than just an online housing referral network. Since our relaunch in January 2024, the platform has evolved, expanding its partners, services, and resources to better meet the diverse needs of the military community. We focus on the military and Veterans, but serve all. We are certainly not perfect…but we strive to be, and we look for and act on customer feedback.
Our customers can search our comprehensive database for available rentals, homes for sale, roommates, temporary lodging, and even properties looking for new occupants. The frequent relocations that come with military life can be stressful, especially when finding new housing in unfamiliar locations. AHRN mitigates this stress by providing a platform that is not only user-friendly but also tailored to the unique needs of military families and will support and assist them through the PCS process.
Here’s how AHRN can assist:
Free platform to use: Whether you are posting properties for rent or sale or a Servicemember looking to rent a home, we are free to use.
Ease of Use and Community Insights: AHRN’s interface is designed with simplicity in mind. Users can instantly search for housing options based on location, housing type, price range, and specific amenities that suit their family’s needs. The platform also allows for detailed searches, enabling users to find homes that fit their exact criteria, including pet-friendly options, school district preferences, and proximity to military facilities. We allow and encourage our property managers to provide and post pictures and detailed information about the property to enable you and your family to make more informed decisions.
Financial Guidance: AHRN provides access to financial tools and resources to help military families budget for their move, estimate BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) rates, and understand the costs associated with renting or purchasing a home. Additionally, through our partners, we can verify and monitor credit, provide a plan, and provide you with an alongside expert to get your credit on a path to better support your homebuying goals via one of the best benefits, the VA home loan.
Only about 30% of those eligible for the VA home loan know that there is zero down when purchasing a home. It is important we educate all those eligible about all aspects of the loan.
Temporary Housing Solutions: AHRN also lists temporary lodging options for those in transition. This is especially useful for families who need a place to stay while waiting for on-base housing or a more permanent off-base rental. We are looking to expand this offering over the next year, said West, as our Servicemembers are searching for different venues to stay.
Tailored Support Service: Since relaunch, a new opt-in service allows our partner network provider to provide a Home Buyer/Renter Concierge to support you and your family by lining up services, support, education and partner discounts upon receiving your PCS orders and checking out of a command to checking in to your new duty station.
Access to our partner network of Real Estate Agents: If you’re renting or buying a home and you’d like to talk with a local and knowledgeable Real Estate Agent who is military and VA Home Loan savvy, our partners at Veterans United Realty (VUR) have over 7,000 Agents across the U.S. ready and able to assist you.
Both the last two services, the concierge and the Real Estate Agent network, provide a wealth of knowledge and support regarding the surrounding area in which the families are located. We are excited to add these to our offerings.
Support for Landlords and Property Managers: AHRN is not just for service members; it also offers landlords and property managers valuable services. By listing properties on AHRN, they can reach a large, targeted audience of military members and their families, ensuring that dependable tenants occupy their homes. Most of our landlords are prior military or property managers who are repeat customers and value and support the military family.
The Automated Housing Referral Network is an indispensable free tool for military families nvigating the complexities of relocation. I have walked the PCS path you are walking many times. Let us work for you.
AHRN alleviates one of the major stressors associated with PCS moves by providing a centralized, trusted platform for finding housing. This service simplifies the housing search and enhances the overall quality of life for service members and their families as they transition to new duty stations.