Permanent change of station moves can leave military Families searching for a new home while juggling paperwork deadlines, new travels, unfamiliar communities and more. Fort Bragg’s Housing Services Office is working to make one part of that transition easier by connecting Soldiers, Department of War civilians and their Families with off-post rental options through HOMES.mil.

HOMES.mil is a housing search resource designed specifically for the military community; it allows users to search community rental listings near participating military installations in the United States and overseas, giving those preparing for a move a place to begin their housing search before arriving at their next duty station.

The Fort Bragg Housing Services Office is encouraging more members of the community to take advantage of this resource as the number of available listings continues to grow.

“HOMES.mil is like ‘Zillow’ for Fort Bragg, connecting our Service Members with private owners and property management companies who are eager to welcome our Fort Bragg Families into their homes,” Jessica Taylor, Fort Bragg Housing Services Office housing manager, said.

Unlike any general rental search, properties approved for listing on HOMES.mil are vetted by housing representatives to ensure they meet established livability requirements. Taylor said that those reviews can identify problems renters may not immediately recognize during their own housing search.

“Our hands-on inspection of rental listings ensures our Service Members can truly feel supported and secure,” Taylor said. “We occasionally inspect properties and uncover significant issues, ranging from plumbing problems and pest infestations to missing smoke detectors. Therefore, we are a safeguard to a problematic rental situation.”

Properties must meet required safety and quality standards to maintain an active listing on the platform, Taylor said. If a listing fails, the team does not endorse it.

For HSO, helping Families secure suitable housing extends far beyond finding a property. Housing officials view stable housing as an important component of the quality of life initiative for the Fort Bragg community.

“Housing is more than a place to live; it is an important part of helping our military Families feel supported, connected and prepared to meet the mission,” Steve Wykel, Fort Bragg Department of Public Works chief of housing, said. “HOMES.mil affords Soldiers and DoW civilians a place to search for a home that meets basic military standards.”

HOMES.mil is one of several housing resources available to those on Fort Bragg through the Housing Services Office.

“We recognize that housing directly affects readiness, resilience and quality of life,” Wykel said. “Our team is committed to making the housing process as clear and manageable as possible for every Family.”

Service Members, DoW civilians and their Families can search available rental properties through HOMES.mil before or during a PCS move, or anytime they need housing near their duty location. For additional assistance, please contact the Fort Bragg Housing Services Office at (910) 396-4517.

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Lauren Reho with the Fort Bragg Garrison Public Affairs Office accessed through DVIDS.